CLEVELAND -- The matchups were memorable, not for their seriousness but for the fun.

After the 2014 and 2016 seasons, cornerback Aqib Talib played against star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the Pro Bowl, the NFL's annual exhibition that is heavy on camaraderie and light on real competition.

"That's playing around," Talib said last week. "...Read more

It is forever tempting to build a team around a young quarterback, but it is almost never easy. There are developmental hiccups and physical limitations, injuries and inconsistencies. Starting quarterbacks are the Jenga piece that can't be bungled, and only so many come ready-made. Drew Brees, the NFL's all-time passing leader, didn't make the ...Read more

DETROIT -- Two former Detroit Lions football players publicly criticized the team Friday for the way it handled concussions under former coaches Jim Caldwell and Jim Schwartz.

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson said in a Sports Illustrated interview that the Lions "wanted me to change my story" about suffering a concussion in a 2012 game against the ...Read more

The Dallas Cowboys officially gave up on defensive end Taco Charlton on Wednesday, waiving the 2017 first-round pick and labeling him a franchise bust forever

Charlton, who notched four sacks in just 27 games with the Cowboys, was picked up by the Miami Dolphins and could face his former team Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

The Cowboys have gone out ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles' receiving corps will have its depth tested once again Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Still healing from an injured abdomen, DeSean Jackson will miss the home game. Fellow wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and tight end Dallas Goedert are questionable with calf injuries.

Coach Doug Pederson announced Jackson's status ...Read more

DAVIE, Fla. -- Josh Rosen's two impressive deep passes during Sunday's 43-0 loss to the New England Patriots caught the attention of everyone in South Florida, including the Miami Dolphins' coaching staff.

Although both passes were dropped by receivers, Rosen's ability to spread the field provided hope for Miami's struggling offense.

Miami's ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has officially been ruled out for the team's game this weekend against Arizona, coach Ron Rivera said Friday.

Kyle Allen, a second-year quarterback out of Houston who went undrafted, will start in Newton's place.

"He's actually come a long way, but the unfortunate part was last week ...Read more

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey received a straight-forward text message from his father, former NFL running back Bobby Humphrey, about his team's upcoming Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs: Be ready to run.

"My dad just sent me a text, saying, 'You better have your track shoes on this week,'" Humphrey told reporters Wednesday.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- It began as a typical Cooper Kupp reception.

In last week's victory over the New Orleans Saints, the Rams' slot receiver lined up on the left side, and then broke toward the middle of the field, catching a pass from quarterback Jared Goff at the 40-yard line. Kupp ran with the ball for 10 yards -- and then things got interesting....Read more

What a few weeks ago was a burning question -- who will start at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins -- is now little more than a quaint curiosity.

The team's one-time burning question sits under all the rubble of the first two weeks, when the woeful Dolphins were outscored, 102-10, traded two of their best players, and signed 13 players off the...Read more

The Los Angeles Times' NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week's matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week's record 10-6 (.625); season 19-12-1 (.613). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 8-8 (.500); season 15-16-1 (.484). All times eastern....Read more