Steve Smith
FILE - Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas sits on the bench during an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. Thomas is one of five first-year eligible players among 28 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023. (AP Photo/David Richard/File)
Darrelle Revis among Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Nov. 22, 2022 02:01 PM EST

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) looks on as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) intercepts a pass intended for Dotson in the first half of a NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Ferocious Cowboys defense next challenge for reeling Rams

By The Associated Press Oct. 06, 2022 03:49 PM EDT

New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale participates in a practice at the NFL football team's training facility in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Defensive coordinator Martindale wants Giants to dominate

By Tom Canavan May. 26, 2022 05:31 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward (1) tries to tackle Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Kupp's breakout season results in first trip to Super Bowl

By Joe Reedy Feb. 09, 2022 03:27 AM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) celebrates with fans after their win over the Houston Texans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex )
NFL Today, Week 18

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2022 10:07 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs with the ball after making a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Baltimore. On the play, Kupp broke the Rams' franchise single season record for most receiving yards after surpassing Isaac Bruce's 1,781 yards set in 1995. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Win and get in scenario for Raiders, Chargers, Niners, Colts

By Barry Wilner Jan. 06, 2022 06:47 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) are joined by teammates after they connected for a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Rams' Cooper Kupp closing in on triple crown of receiving

By Greg Beacham Jan. 06, 2022 06:00 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) walks off the field after the 49ers defeated the Houston Texans in an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
49ers can clinch playoffs with 6th straight win over Rams

By Greg Beacham Jan. 06, 2022 05:31 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings expected to bring pressure vs. Panthers QB Darnold

By The Associated Press Oct. 14, 2021 11:57 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2020, file photo, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore stands along the sideline during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are releasing 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore after the two sides couldn’t come to terms on a new contract. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Gilmore: No hard feelings on Pats, excited to join Panthers

By Steve Reed Oct. 07, 2021 07:00 PM EDT

FILE - Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) looks across the field before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Baltimore, in this Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, file photo. Ten first-year eligible players, including Steve Smith, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Panthers-Ravens 9/28/2014

Sep. 22, 2021 01:39 PM EDT

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2016, file photo shows Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) smiling prior to an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standout DeMarcus Ware, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Ware, Mathis among 1st-year eligibles for Pro Football Hall

Sep. 22, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold looks to pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers smother Steelers backups 34-9

By Steve Reed Aug. 27, 2021 10:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Rob Gronkowski celebrate after they defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game in Glendale, Ariz. Gronkowski is one of 218 players to appear in a Super Bowl as Brady's teammate, a number that will grow by more than 40 this week when Brady makes his record 10th trip to to the title game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
10 for Tom: Brady joins exclusive club with 10th title game

By Josh Dubow Feb. 03, 2021 02:46 AM EST

Rookie Will Grier will start for Panthers starter vs. Colts

By Steve Reed Dec. 19, 2019 01:52 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Will Grier grew up cheering on wide receiver Steve Smith from the stands at Carolina Panthers' home games, where his family had season...

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talks with referee Walt Anderson (66) in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
49ers lose in wild finish but end six-year playoff drought

By The Associated Press Dec. 15, 2019 11:27 AM EST

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, is grabbed by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard David DeCastro (66) after Garrett pulled the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Column: A suspension is the least of Garrett’s concerns

By Paul Newberry Nov. 15, 2019 02:22 PM EST

Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry (24) defends while Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark (17) catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
McCaffrey scores 3 TDs, Panthers hold off Jaguars 34-27

By Steve Reed Oct. 06, 2019 04:57 PM EDT

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs past Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in London. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
The Latest: RB Aaron Jones having career day for Packers

By The Associated Press Oct. 06, 2019 01:22 PM EDT