Athlete injuries
FILE - At left, in a Jan. 30, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski speaks with members of the media during a news conference in Atlanta. At center, in an Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck speaks during a news conference following the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, in Indianapolis. At right, in an Aug. 2, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly watches teammates warm up at training camp in Charlotte, N.C. Life in the NFL is short. The recent retirements of three of the game's best 30-and-under stars -- Gronkowski, Luck and Kuechly -- could be coincidence or the start of a worrisome trend. (AP Photo/File)
Column: 'We Don't Like to Draft a Guy Who's Too Smart'

By Jim Litke 7 hrs ago

Seattle Seahawks' Jadeveon Clowney (90) hits Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
NFL says number of concussions increased slightly in 2019

By Simmi Buttar Jan. 23, 2020 08:27 PM EST

In this Feb. 7, 2012 file photo New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the team's NFL football Super Bowl parade in New York. Manning, who led the Giants to two Super Bowls in a 16-year career that saw him set almost every team passing record, has retired. The Giants said Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 that Manning would formally announce his retirement on Friday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file)
Giants' Eli Manning retires after 16 seasons, 2 Super Bowls

By Tom Canavan Jan. 22, 2020 06:38 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) celebrates a touchdown in an NFL divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Kansas City. The Chiefs defeated the Texans 51-31 (Margaret Bowles via AP)
3 former Dolphins provide Super Bowl boost to Chiefs

By Dave Skretta Jan. 22, 2020 04:01 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Vikings pick up 5 additions to Pro Bowl, including Cousins

By Dave Campbell Jan. 21, 2020 03:53 PM EST

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) tries to elude the tackle of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Browns WR Beckham has surgery on core muscle injury

By Tom Withers Jan. 21, 2020 11:39 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) leaps over the goal line for a touchdown during the NFL NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20 (Margaret Bowles via AP)
49ers impressive turnaround leads to Super Bowl appearance

By Josh Dubow Jan. 20, 2020 07:28 PM EST

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, center, gathers items as players clean out their lockers Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans lost the AFC Championship NFL football game Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Home playoff game next goal after Titans' road run hit end

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 20, 2020 06:59 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid celebrates after the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won 35-24 to advance to Super Bowl 54. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Chiefs stick to game plan in AFC title game win over Titans

By Dave Skretta Jan. 20, 2020 03:16 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert celebrates after the NFL NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers won 37-20 to advance to Super Bowl 54 against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Mostert lifts 49ers to Super Bowl with 37-20 win vs Packers

By Josh Dubow Jan. 19, 2020 11:33 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs' Mecole Hardman (17) and Tyreek Hill (10) celebrate after the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won 35-24 to advance to Super Bowl 54. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
NFL Today, Conference Championships

By The Associated Press Jan. 19, 2020 11:05 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman (26) smiles next to Matt Breida (22) and Raheem Mostert during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. The 49ers are scheduled to host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game Sunday. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
49ers running back Tevin Coleman injures right shoulder

Jan. 19, 2020 08:22 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chiefs' Reid headed back to Super Bowl after long absence

By Dave Skretta Jan. 19, 2020 07:48 PM EST

Punter J.K. Scott active for Packers in NFC title game

Jan. 19, 2020 05:21 PM EST
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Punter J.K. Scott is active for the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers despite...

Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague reaches for the ball lost by Detroit Pistons guard Bruce Brown, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Rose, Mykhailiuk spark Pistons to easy win over Hawks

By George Henry Jan. 18, 2020 10:15 PM EST

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver and former LSU star Odell Beckham Jr. walks off the field after the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game between Clemson and LSU in New Orleans. The New Orleans Police Department said Saturday, Jan 18, 2020, that a misdemeanor simple battery warrant for Beckham has been rescinded. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Warrant for Odell Beckham Jr. rescinded in butt-swat case

Jan. 18, 2020 04:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in Detroit. Two of the best at their jobs will meet once again in the NFC championship game when Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers must decide how much to challenge San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Rodgers-Sherman matchup highlights NFC title game

By Josh Dubow Jan. 17, 2020 06:03 PM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes during an NFL football practice Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Behind Tannehill is quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Titans are scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Titans kicker OK kicking extra points instead of field goals

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 17, 2020 05:07 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts after a Ravens fumble recovered by the Tennessee Titanson during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Harbaugh expects Ravens to add talent, mature and improve

By David Ginsburg Jan. 17, 2020 03:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Christian McCaffrey runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, in Indianapolis. McCaffrey's versatility and superb statistics helped him to a rare double: The Carolina Panthers running back has made The Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team at two positions. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Panthers' McCaffrey pulls out of Pro Bowl; Kamara in

Jan. 16, 2020 10:29 PM EST