RENTON, Wash. — During the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp debut Wednesday afternoon, a frustrated fan made a four-word plea to Mike Macdonald’s defense.

“Get! Off! The! Ball!” he bellowed from the berm at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, pausing after each word for added emphasis.

On cue, quarterback Sam Darnold took a snap, turned ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin O’Connell began devising his schedule for training camp months ago. He spent long hours meticulously crafting a daily plan for Minnesota Vikings players, coaches and support staff to follow practically down to the minute.

He could barely contain his excitement for practice No. 1 in the month-long buildup to the regular ...Read more

DENVER — Last summer, it was Bo Nix’s time. This summer, it is Bo Nix’s team.

For a Broncos quarterback to navigate this responsibility, he must understand the magnitude of the position on and off the field.

No job in the state of Colorado has a higher profile. Every Sunday is a referendum, a job performance review from 75,000 bosses —...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — Third-year Seattle Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh suffered a left knee injury early in Saturday’s practice that the team fears is a torn ACL, which could sideline him for the upcoming season.

A league source confirmed the feared diagnosis of the injury. McIntosh was expected to undergo further tests to confirm the ...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — Gone is receiver DK Metcalf — the Seahawks' dynamo who not only set single-season franchise records during his time in Seattle, but drew enough attention from defensive backs to open the playing field for all his pass-catching teammates.

Gone is fellow receiver Tyler Lockett — the Seahawks Ring of Honor lock who trails ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Robert Saleh is the 49ers’ third defensive coordinator in three years but comes with familiarity in terms of the system.

Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are the only defensive players on the roster who played under Saleh from 2017-20, and Bosa missed most of Saleh’s last season with a torn ACL.

Bosa chooses his words ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Jared Verse thought he was ready for the challenge.

A workout with future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald in Donald's home gym?

No big deal. Or so believed Verse, the reigning NFL defensive rookie of the year.

"That workout was psychotic," Verse said this week.

The meeting of the muscles happened in June after Verse stoked Donald'...Read more

PITTSBURGH — It would be easy to dismiss last year's late-season collapse on a brutal 11-day stretch in December in which the Steelers lost three consecutive games to the best teams in the league.

It would be easy to dismiss the meltdown as being overmatched against three teams who were a combined 41-10 and not having enough time to fully ...Read more

DENVER — A key young piece of the Broncos’ defense may have suffered another tough setback.

Toward the end of Denver’s second full day of training camp Saturday morning, third-year linebacker Drew Sanders was seen carted off the field with an apparent injury. Two staffers helped him into the locker room, as Sanders slung both arms over ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Matthew Stafford observed practice for the first time on Saturday, but the Rams star quarterback will remain sidelined at least another week because of a back issue, coach Sean McVay said.

Stafford, 37, has not practiced since the Rams opened training camp while receiving treatment from trainers and team medical staff.

McVay ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — As a nation, we are splintered. Practically irreconcilable.

For instance, some people still firmly believe in running the football on first down. Imagine that. Others are convinced that a prevent defense will eventually doom us all. And heaven forbid you try critiquing Tom Brady’s broadcasting skills in polite company.

Yet, ...Read more

MIAMI — In one day, the Miami Dolphins have changed the outlook of their secondary.

Former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones signed with the Miami Dolphins, the team announced Saturday morning. Less than six hours later, ex-Cincinnati Bengals nickel corner Mike Hilton joined the aqua and orange, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings safety Josh Metellus has his long-awaited contract extension, keeping him in Minnesota through 2028.

Metellus agreed to a three-year extension for $36 million, $25 million of which is guaranteed. The contract has a maximum value of $42 million.

“I feel like I embody exactly what we want to build here,” Metellus said...Read more

The Jets fans in attendance at Florham Park, N.J., on Saturday morning witnessed Justin Fields, who had dislocated a toe on his right foot on Thursday, participate in practice on a limited basis.

Fields first threw passes during individual and position drills. He later took part in 7-on-7 drills, during which he threw a perfect pass to wide ...Read more

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A year ago, the Chiefs made Creed Humphrey the highest-paid center in the NFL — a fine status symbol he funneled into a first-team All-Pro season.

That rippled into a third straight year of being recognized by Pro Football Focus as the best there is today at his position, and as the only center ranked among the league’s ...Read more

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons starting receiver Darnell Mooney left Thursday’s practice walking with a trainer after falling to the ground on Thursday. He suffered a shoulder injury that will cause him to miss a few weeks.

Wide receiver D.J. Chark, a seven-year veteran and one-time Pro Bowl selection, is set to sign with the team, according...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Coach Pete Carroll said Friday the Raiders did their due diligence before making the decision to release high-priced defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

“We watched our way through the whole thing,” Carroll said after training camp in his first public comments since the team announced the transaction Thursday.

The Raiders did...Read more

LOS ANGELES — No Matthew Stafford, no problem.

At least for now.

With the Rams' star quarterback sidelined because of what coach Sean McVay has described as back soreness, 12th-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo is running the offense as the Rams prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans.

"I found out pretty suddenly," Garoppolo ...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t plan on starting a cornerback before he’s totally ready.

So don’t expect to see a “learn on the job” situation or a “he’ll grow into the role” type of thing for the Sept. 7 opener at Indianapolis.

“You think I could go in front of the team and say, ‘Hey, we’ve ...Read more