COVID-19 pandemic
FILE - North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance throws at the school's football NFL Pro Day in Fargo, N.D., in this Friday, March, 12, 2021, file photo. Lance will likely be one of the first two players drafted from non-Football Bowl Subdivision programs next week. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)
FCS draft prospects generally opted not to play this spring

By Steve Megargee 7 hrs ago

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess prepares to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Teams are now sending scouts, coaches and general managers across the country for 103 college pro days replacing this year's combine in yet another NFL adaptation to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
AP source: NFL exploring changes to scouting combine

By Rob Maaddi 11 hrs ago

San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12) attempts a shot on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
NHL: Virus protocols not 'relaxed' for vaccinated players

By Stephen Whyno 15 hrs ago

A trap covers the infield during a rain delay in the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
The Latest: Vegas goaltender dissatisfied with NHL protocols

By The Associated Press 16 hrs ago

File-This Dec. 27, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski talking to quarterback Baker Mayfield (60 before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.J. Stefanski isn't necessarily proud that he and his coaching staff have become proficient at working virtually. The Browns had their second day of remote meetings Tuesday after Cleveland's players _ along with numerous teams across the NFL _ decided to skip any in-person workouts for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Zooming along: Browns, Stefanski begin workouts apart

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2021 05:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 file photo, North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) winds up to throw during the first half of the FCS championship NCAA college football game against James Madison in Frisco, Texas. The NFL announced last month that some of the top prospects were being invited to Cleveland. The league is hoping to incorporate some of the city’s best-known locations along Lake Erie: FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Browns; and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde, File)
Canceled combine a bummer but invite still a golden ticket

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 20, 2021 03:07 PM EDT

FILE - Machine Gun Kelly performs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, in this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, file photo. Grammy Award nominated rock & soul duo Black Pumas and Cleveland's own Machine Gun Kelly will perform at next week's NFL draft. The league announced its musical acts for the second and third days of the draft, which is back on the road after being all virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)
Black Pumas, Machine Gun Kelly to perform at NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2021 02:23 PM EDT

In this photo provided by Walt Disney World, NFL star Tom Brady visits Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge inside Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Monday, April 5, 2021. A mask-wearing Brady visited the Star Wars-themed section of Walt Disney World with his family and friends, two months after he led the Bucs to a Super Bowl win against the Chiefs. (Matt Stroshane/Disney World via AP)
Brady expects to be ready for minicamp after knee surgery

Apr. 19, 2021 10:03 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt (33) lines up against Alabama State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The scouts were there in big numbers. But NFL prospects who were timed and tested, poked and prodded at the pro days didn’t have the usual contingent of underclassmen looking on and offering their support. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Alabama State at Auburn 9/8/2018

Apr. 17, 2021 01:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt (33) lines up against Alabama State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The scouts were there in big numbers. But NFL prospects who were timed and tested, poked and prodded at the pro days didn’t have the usual contingent of underclassmen looking on and offering their support. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Pro days key for NFL hopefuls with no combine this year

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 17, 2021 01:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Players on 5 more NFL teams say no to in-person work

By The Associated Press Apr. 17, 2021 11:59 AM EDT

Bears sign former 49ers, Bills WR Goodwin to 1-year deal

Apr. 16, 2021 07:44 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to a one-year contract Friday. Goodwin has 140 receptions...

FILE - Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks off the field after NFL football practice in Renton, Wash., in this Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, file photo. During Marshawn Lynch’s 12 NFL seasons he earned a reputation for his fearless style on the field, while remaining one of the league’s most reclusive figures off the field. Now the retired running back is lending his voice to try to help members of Black and Hispanic communities make more informed decisions about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Lynch released a 30-minute interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on his YouTube channel Friday, April 16, 2021, becoming the latest prominent athlete to sit down with him to discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as the U.S. continues to combat the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Marshawn Lynch, Dr. Fauci discuss vaccine hesitancy

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Steelers players 10th group skipping in-person workouts

By The Associated Press Apr. 16, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Browns, Raiders players say they'll skip offseason workouts

By Tom Withers Apr. 15, 2021 06:21 PM EDT

FILEm - Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) carries the ball against Cincinnati in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Memphis, Tenn., in this Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, file photo. Gainwell had every intention of playing football with the Memphis Tigers last fall, going through fall practice. The funeral for an uncle, the fourth member of his family to die of COVID-19 made opting out of the season the best decision for Gainwell. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Memphis running back ready for NFL draft after opting out

By Teresa M. Walker Apr. 15, 2021 03:06 PM EDT

NFL reprises Draft-a-Thon to raise money for pandemic relief

Apr. 15, 2021 09:01 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is bringing back the Draft-a-Thon that raised money last year for charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. ...

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (97) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore. After opting out of the 2020 season due to health concerns around COVID-19, Michael Pierce has returned to the Minnesota Vikings, eager to establish himself at a nose tackle position in need of help. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Vikes' Pierce had regrets about opt-out, but made most of it

By Dave Campbell Apr. 14, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2010 file photo, members of the band Kings of Leon, from left, Jared Followill, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill, pose for a portrait in New York. Rockers Kings of Leon will help kick off NFL draft activities on a stage close to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this month. The Grammy Award-winning band will open the festivities on April 29, 2021 with a concert as the draft returns to a more normal state after being held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Victoria Will, File)
Rockers Kings of Leon to perform on first night of NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 14, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

UW Whitewater lineman Quinn Meinerz runs at the school's pro football day Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Whitewater, Wisc. The only FCS teams hosting pro days this year were Central Arkansas, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater held one only because its Senior Bowl revelation, offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, warranted another look after his team did not play in the fall. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Pandemic making NFL draft's small school gems harder to find

By Eric Olson Apr. 14, 2021 04:03 PM EDT