NFL

12:00 PM ET Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to show injury and qualify for awards. A hearing had been set for Thursday. The judge instead ordered the

7:00 AM ET In the late 1970s, Houston was booming, being country was cool and nobody was as country as the Oilers. Coached by a man named Bum and powered by a running back named Earl, both every bit a one-name Texas icon like Willie or Waylon, the NFL team and the city were simpatico.

6:00 AM ET FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has said it many times over the years: Deadlines make deals. If that’s the case between the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott, welcome to at least the fourth deadline in their long-running negotiations that have yet to lead to the multiyear agreement

7:58 PM ET Associated Press CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son is stable after undergoing surgery to stop bleeding. Switzer chronicled son Christian’s medical situation over the weekend on Twitter, prompting an outpouring of public support. Switzer’s most recent post Sunday came after the operation was completed and he

6:00 AM ET Trey Flowers sat in a Zoom town hall last summer, in the middle of a session about voting rights and voter registration, when the Detroit Lions defensive end began to speak. One of three NFL players on the call, he knew he wanted to share the story he heard tens of times

6:00 AM ET ASHBURN, Va. — In one interview after another this offseason, Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith sounded like someone who was ready to keep playing. He had proved a point by returning to the field; he also discovered there was more he felt he could do. Washington released him on Friday, freeing

6:00 AM ET FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL: 1. Time to make move? If the Patriots come to the realization Jimmy Garoppolo is their preferred quarterback option, and there is a notable gap between him and Plan B, this would be the time to press the

7:40 AM ET I’ve been studying the NFL draft since 1979, and I’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks. Some great, some terrible. Some first-round picks who made the Hall of Fame, and some top-10 picks who were complete busts. So when I was asked recently where Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence ranked among the highest-graded quarterbacks I’ve

6:00 AM ET OWINGS MILLS, Md. — To create the fairest way to decide tie games, the Baltimore Ravens want you to think of overtime as a cookie. For years, children have split cookies with a method called “Divide and Choose.” One kid breaks the cookie into two pieces, and the other gets first choice

6:00 AM ET CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “Ooooh! Oooh!’’ Stephen Weatherly yelled as he noticed a small spot smoldering on his right thigh. The five-year veteran defensive end, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings after he was released by the Carolina Panthers, momentarily lost his concentration during a glassblowing session, allowing the

8:09 PM ET HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have signed former Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Britt, who did not play during the 2020 season after Seattle released him in April, indicated he is Houston-bound in an Instagram post. “I’M

4:30 PM ET NFL NationESPN The 2021 NFL offseason is beginning in earnest as teams start applying the franchise or transition tag to players entering free agency. The tag can be applied from now until 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday. The franchise tag binds the player to the team for one season. Franchise tag figures are

4:43 PM ET ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller will not face criminal charges after an investigation by the Parker (Colo.) Police Department earlier this year, according to the 18th Judicial District district attorney’s office. The office declined to file charges “based on our review of information that is currently available,” according to

4:24 PM ET The Cincinnati Bengals on Friday released guard B.J. Finney, ending a year of confusion, fear and physical limitations for the former $8 million player. Finney struggled to properly train last offseason in fear of losing a $2 million signing bonus from the Seattle Seahawks due to COVID-19 restrictions on physicals, sources told

3:53 PM ET The Denver Broncos are placing the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons for the second consecutive season, it was announced Friday. Simmons, who was poised to become an unrestricted free agent, becomes the first player to be tagged this offseason. The Broncos now have until July 15 to work out a long-term

3:53 PM ET Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills and safety Micah Hyde have agreed to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Friday, keeping him in Buffalo through the 2023 season. The two-year extension is worth $19.25 million, the NFL Network reported. A Pro Bowler in 2017, Hyde is among the leaders

12:14 PM ET PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce announced that he will return for an 11th season and has restructured his contract for 2021. Kelce has been contemplating retirement the past several offseasons but has decided to play for at least another year even though the Eagles are going through a transition

10:43 AM ET The NFL has hired Maia Chaka as a game official for the 2021 season, making her the first Black woman to join the league’s on-field officiating staff. Chaka will join Sarah Thomas as the only women to officiate an NFL game. Thomas was hired in 2015 and was part of the crew