Whitney Mercilus
FILE - Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) blocks during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., in this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, file photo. The Broncos declined Bolles’ fifth-year option in 2020 but by November had given him a $68 million, four-year extension. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, FIle)
Fifth-year options are a good measure of NFL draft classes

By Arnie Stapleton May. 14, 2021 05:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry plays against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, in Cleveland. The Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without four wide receivers, including star Landry, their starting middle linebacker and his replacement due to COVID-19 protocols. But despite the six players being out, an NFL spokesman said Cleveland's game at the New York Jets will be played as scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns short-handed as they face Jets

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2020 12:09 PM EST

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock, center, jokes with backup quarterbacks Jeff Driskel, left, and Brett Rypien during an NFL football practice in Englewood, Colo., in this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo. The Broncos activated three quarterbacks—starter Lock and backups Rypien and Blake Bortles—from the COVID-19 list Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, to insure that the team will not be without quarterbacks on the roster for the game against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday as the Broncos were last Sunday when hosting the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
The virus's toll: How 32 NFL teams have been hit by COVID-19

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2020 04:32 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2020, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Josh McCown speaks during a news conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Philadelphia. In 2002 the Houston Texans were an expansion team preparing for their first season and McCown had just wrapped up his college career at nearby Sam Houston State. Nineteen seasons and nine teams later the quarterback finally got his wish when he signed with the Texans this month to be their third quarterback behind Deshaun Watson and AJ McCarron. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)
McCown with Texans 19 seasons after hoping to join team

By Kristie Rieken Nov. 17, 2020 07:23 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs in for a touchdown in front of Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
The Latest: Home teams now 65-65-1 in this pandemic season

By The Associated Press Nov. 08, 2020 07:54 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. A person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press that Tomlin has been fined $100,000 and the club $250,000 because coaches improperly wore facial coverings last Sunday. The person said Friday, Nov. 6 that Tomlin and the Steelers were disciplined because members of the coaching staff were “not wearing face coverings at all times on the sidelines.” (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)
All NFL games on for Week 9 as teams deal with COVID-19

By The Associated Press Nov. 06, 2020 02:29 PM EST

Rice quarterback Mike Collins gets the snap during the team's NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Latest: UCLA has 3 positive tests in athletic department

By The Associated Press Nov. 06, 2020 05:32 AM EST

3 Texans linebackers out at Jaguars after positive test

By Kristie Rieken Nov. 05, 2020 02:39 PM EST
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans will be without three linebackers on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after linebacker Jacob Martin tested positive...

AFC defensive ends Calais Campbell, left, and Josh Allen, both of the Jacksonville Jaguars, talk during a practice for the NFL Pro Bowl football game Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
AFC South adds pass-rushing skill to already-loaded division

By Mark Long Apr. 29, 2020 12:55 PM EDT