TAMPA, Fla. — Let’s not go overboard on Jalon Daniels. Two preseason games do not reflect reality.

On the other hand, get this guy a locker!

That’s what the Bucs should do this week. Find a happy medium when it comes to the breakout star of training camp.

Everybody is asking the same two questions, but they don’t need to be answered ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Normal human anatomy dictates that a ruptured Achilles tendon requires a year of quiet contemplation and monotonous rehabilitation, and perhaps as much as an 18-month timeline before you even think about looking like your old self on the field of play again.

George Kittle heard that timeline, laughed in its face, and ...Read more

MIAMI — Failure is bad enough. To fail and be mocked adds a special layer of hurt.

The Miami Dolphins’ NFL-worst 25-year streak of having not won a playoff game is a scarlet letter the franchise bears. Less quantifiable but just as true in broad perception is the team’s reputation for a lack of physicality — for being soft. In a violent...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — With 3 seconds left in the first half on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker lined up for the seemingly preposterous: a 69-yard field-goal attempt.

Why not, but ... come on.

The far-fetched venture was from a yard farther than the NFL record set by Jacksonville’s Cam Little last season. And ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty left practice Sunday afternoon at the team’s Henderson headquarters with an apparent right leg injury.

The second-year standout was helped off the indoor field and didn’t put pressure on his right leg. Raiders players and coaches kneeled and prayed in silence before resuming ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — George Kittle’s expedited comeback from an Achilles tear just passed a significant marker Sunday.

The 49ers activated Kittle off the Physically Unable to Perform list. Had he remained with that injury designation into the start of the season, then he would have been ineligible to play in at least the first four games. ...Read more

DENVER — Nix the Vikings, Sean Payton. Bo’s good to go.

Did you see the touch? Bo Nix’s 21-yard wheel route to RJ Harvey against Green Bay Friday night was feathery enough to stuff a pillow.

Did you see the timing? Nix’s 35-yard toss to Jaylen Waddle against the Pack looked more like guys who’ve been playing pitch-and-catch together...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield’s appearance in Saturday’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t long enough to even be considered a cameo. It was a glimpse. A peek without peaking.

Eight plays. Four passes. Two completions. Zero points.

But the biggest reason for Mayfield’s short night was that the Bucs were missing ...Read more

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It would’ve been a heartbreaker for the Eagles, but alas, it’s the preseason.

The Eagles gave up a four-point lead in the final minute of their second game of the exhibition slate against the New England Patriots. Patriots quarterback Behren Morton completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nick DeGennaro over...Read more

CINCINNATI — Caleb Williams got a preseason tuneup Saturday night at Paycor Stadium.

Williams completed 2 of 5 passes for 28 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. He had the Chicago Bears offense moving into the red zone against Bengals backups before a penalty set the drive backward. The Bears wound up settling for a 45-yard field goal from ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The last time the Vikings played at U.S. Bank Stadium, beating the Packers in the regular-season finale to get to 9-8, J.J. McCarthy was their starting quarterback before leaving early with a hand injury.

He was back as the starter Saturday in the Vikings’ 13-3 preseason loss to the Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium. This time, ...Read more

MIAMI — On a muggy Saturday, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley watched mostly backups struggle mightily in a 26-3 preseason loss to the Giants at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Dolphins, who sat quarterback Malik Willis and four veteran starting offensive linemen (among others), were outgained 390-102 and had the ball for only 19 minutes.

Hafley lamented ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Rams coach Sean McVay changed the script in the battle to back up star quarterback Matthew Stafford.

After rookie Ty Simpson played nearly all of the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Stetson Bennett got more opportunities Saturday against the New Orleans Saints.

And Bennett took advantage.

Bennett played the ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Rookie defensive tackle Domonique Orange had a welcome-to-the-Vikings moment during Saturday’s 13-3 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Orange, listed 6-foot-2 and 322 pounds, dropped into coverage on second down.

You read that correctly.

One of the Vikings’ heaviest players dropped into coverage.

Ravens quarterback ...Read more

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions' rookie defensive linemen were a force to be reckoned with in the team's 17-13 victory over the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on Saturday.

Second-round pick Derrick Moore had a pressure on the first snap of his preseason debut and strip-sacked Sam Hartman on the final play of the second quarter. Skyler Gill-...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings offense strained through the first day of joint practices with the Ravens on Wednesday.

Justin Jefferson looked incredulously at officials who didn’t flag physical coverage from cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, while QB Kyler Murray searched for space against a Ravens front that cinched the pocket and ...Read more