Sports medicine
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter runs through a drill during NFL football minicamp practice Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Back from neck injury, grateful Hunter excited about Vikes D

By Dave Campbell Jun. 16, 2021 06:26 PM EDT

NFL funding research to help players better manage pain

By Teresa M. Walker Jun. 08, 2021 05:33 PM EDT
The NFL will spend up to $1 million funding up to five studies that will examine how to better help players ease their pain and find alternatives to opioids. ...

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) talks with head coach Joe Judge during NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, May 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Giants RB Saquon Barkley diligent in rehabbing injured knee

By Tom Canavan Jun. 08, 2021 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos, center, talks with staff members during drills at the team's NFL football training camp in Englewood, Colo., in this July 19, 2019, file photo. The Broncos announced on Monday, June 7, 2021, that Antonopulos will retire after more than three decades as the team's trainer. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Broncos' sports medicine director retiring after 45 seasons

By Arnie Stapleton Jun. 07, 2021 07:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 19, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) stretches during NFL football training camp in Englewood, Colo. James filed a $15 million grievance Monday, June 7, 2021, against the Broncos, who released him last month after he ruptured an Achilles during an off-site workout. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
James files grievance against Broncos, signs with Ravens

By Arnie Stapleton Jun. 07, 2021 06:35 PM EDT

LaFleur: Bakhtiari 'a little bit ahead of schedule'

Jun. 02, 2021 06:07 PM EDT
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur says All-Pro offensive tackle David Bakhtiari is “a little bit ahead of schedule” in his recovery...

Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashad Weaver runs a drill during NFL football rookie minicamp Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool)
Titans' top draft pick rehabbing, working to learn playbook

By Teresa M. Walker May. 15, 2021 06:40 PM EDT

Former NFL player Clarence Vaughn III, center left, and his wife Brooke Vaughn kiss before delivering tens of thousands of petitions demanding equal treatment for everyone involved in the settlement of concussion claims against the NFL, to the federal courthouse in Philadelphia, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Retired Black players say NFL brain-injury payouts show bias

By Maryclaire Dale And Michelle R. Smith May. 14, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

FILE - American Team offensive lineman Trey Smith of Tennessee (73) watches during the American Team practice for the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., in this Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, file photo. Tennessee guard Trey Smith says he has no problem explaining his situation, even a million times if he must. He played college football while dealing with a condition that can cause blood clots, and Smith says it’s unique. But he wants to play in the NFL, so he has no problem detailing the plan his doctors and specialists put together allowing him to do just that. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, File)
Chiefs believe late-round medical gambles could pay off big

By Dave Skretta May. 03, 2021 01:35 PM EDT

FILE - This March 12, 2009 file photo shows Dr. Robert Lesslie in Rock Hill, S.C. Authorities say a gunman, identified as former NFL player Phillip Adams, killed Lesslie, his wife and grandchildren on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 in Rock Hill. Adams killed himself early Thursday according to a source who was briefed on the investigation. (John D. Simmons/The Charlotte Observer via AP)
'Football City, USA' killings raise sport safety concerns

By Michelle Liu May. 03, 2021 09:30 AM EDT

A York County sheriff's deputy is parked outside a residence where multiple people, including a prominent doctor, were fatally shot a day earlier, Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Rock Hill, S.C. A source briefed on the mass killing said the gunman was former NFL player Phillip Adams, who shot himself to death early Thursday. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Ex-NFL player's brain to be probed for trauma-related harm

By Meg Kinnard And Michelle Liu Apr. 09, 2021 04:18 PM EDT

Former Pistons physician Benjamin Paolucci dies at age 84

Apr. 07, 2021 08:29 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Dr. Benjamin Paolucci, a longtime team physician for the Detroit Pistons who was with the franchise for each of its three NBA championships, has...

USA Football recommends 8 procedures for youth safety

By Barry Wilner Mar. 31, 2021 02:14 AM EDT
USA Football has introduced eight procedures to enhance safety and health for youth players, with all of those methods endorsed by some major medical...

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najeh Davenport (44) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, file photo. A federal judge on Monday, March 8, 2021, dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to show injury and qualify for awards. Davenport was denied an award but would have qualified had they been white, according to their lawsuit. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Judge tosses suit over 'race-norming' in NFL dementia tests

By Maryclaire Dale Mar. 08, 2021 11:49 AM EST

FILE- In this Oct. 15, 2019, file photo, Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, speaks during a news conference at the at the football league's fall meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Playing a season through a pandemic did not take the NFL's attention off other health issues, specifically concussions with the league finding those dropped about 5% in 2020. Sills said the league had 262 cases of COVID-19 among players and 463 cases among coaches, staff and other personnel. The NFL had an overall test positivity rate from Aug. 1 through the end of January of 0.08%, well below the country's positivity rate and almost all the league's markets. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
NFL: Concussions down about 5%, masks limited flu cases

By Teresa M. Walker Feb. 03, 2021 06:03 PM EST

NFL won't allow in-person workouts for scouting combine

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 18, 2021 07:05 PM EST
The NFL will not allow in-person workouts for the scouting combine due to health and safety precautions because of COVID-19. The league...

File-New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. Barkley has had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Giants coach Joe Judge confirmed the surgery on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, without giving specifics. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Giants Barkley has no doubts about return from ACL injury

By Tom Canavan Dec. 03, 2020 12:05 PM EST

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) watches the final minutes from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Dolphins' Tua remains limited in practice with thumb injury

Dec. 02, 2020 04:32 PM EST

22 November 2020: Markus Paul of the Dallas Cowboys during their 31-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys cancel practice over medical issue involving staff

Nov. 24, 2020 10:35 AM EST

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay, center top, reacts against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
Rams' first in-season COVID positive leaves McVay frustrated

By Greg Beacham Nov. 19, 2020 09:13 PM EST