AP sources: Star Vikings RB Cook absent after father's death
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)MINNEAPOLIS – Running back Dalvin Cook is not practicing with the Minnesota Vikings this week, due to the death of his father. Cook has a younger brother, James Cook, who is a running back for Georgia. He was picked for a second straight Pro Bowl, with 1,557 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns in 14 games. Cook’s absence will clinch a second consecutive rushing title for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who has a 220-yard lead on Cook. Cook has a slim lead on Henry atop the NFL with 1,918 total yards.
Stafford throws 3 TDs, Lions rally to beat Bears 34-30
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO – Darrell Bevell had a hard time processing everything from his first game as an NFL coach. They fired general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia while elevating Bevell, their offensive coordinator, to interim coach. But the Lions turned things around down the stretch, sending the Bears (5-7) to their sixth straight loss. The Lions came out on top after losing four of five, and Stafford gave Bevell the game ball.
Tua vs Kyler as rising Dolphins visit revitalized Cardinals
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) embrace after Tagovailoa throws his first touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)When the Dolphins leave the oceanfront and head to the desert to play the Cardinals on Sunday, it will be about more than Tua vs. Kyler. Tua Tagovailoa, as touted as any signal caller coming out of college in years, will make his second start for Miami. Henry has eight rushing touchdowns, finding the end zone in five straight games. The Patriots will try to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1995.
Trubisky throws 3 TDs in 4th to help Bears beat Lions 27-23
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford throws against the Chicago Bears in the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)DETROIT – Mitchell Trubisky perfectly lofted a 27-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Anthony Miller with 1:54 remaining and the Chicago Bears held on to beat the Detroit Lions 27-23 Sunday. Trubisky threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to help Chicago come back from a 17-point deficit. It looked familiar to Lions fans: Detroit opened last season by blowing an 18-point lead at Arizona and settling for a tie. Late in the game, Lions fans likely would've filled the facility with a chorus of boos.
Freeman, Miller, Thomas among big NFL names still unsigned
Freeman is still unsigned as Week 1 of the NFL season begins. Several familiar names and players on roster bubbles took turns on the unemployment line with some finding new jobs. Adrian Peterson was cut last week by Washington, but quickly landed in Detroit. Here's a look at notable available players at each position:QUARTERBACKSBlake Bortles, Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer, Trevor Siemian, Drew Stanton. WIDE RECEIVERSAntonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Mohamed Sanu, Hakeem Butler, Quincy Enunwa, Chester Rogers, Demaryius Thomas, Jermaine Kearse, Ryan Grant, Jordan Matthews, Laquon Treadwell.
AP source: Peterson agrees to 1-year deal with Detroit
DETROIT Adrian Peterson has agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the agreement had not been announced. Peterson is 1,053 yards behind Lions great Barry Sanders for fourth on the career rushing list. At this stage of his career, Peterson may need his workload managed. ___Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Washington releases Adrian Peterson, turns to young backs
Washington released veteran running back Adrian Peterson on Friday, a stunning move by first-year coach Ron Rivera in the name of getting younger. Rivera called Peterson early in the morning asking him to come to the practice facility, then delivered the news the team was moving on from the 35-year-old star. Peterson played the past two seasons with Washington, rushing for 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns in the fourth stop of a career that will likely earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, after Guice's release following a domestic violence arrest, he, Peterson and longtime third-down back Chris Thompson are all gone, and the backfield has a decidedly young look. This is a very talented, gifted young man that did a lot of different things, Rivera said Thursday.
49ers beat Redskins in ugly 9-0 game to improve to 6-0
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 20: Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Troy Apke #30 of the Washington Redskins in the second half at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers Slip 'N Slided their way to an ugly 9-0 win at the Washington Redskins in steady rain and driving wind Sunday to remain undefeated. "We knew coming in that, especially with the rain, it was going to be that type of game, the field was muddy. HOME-FIELD DISADVANTAGEAmong those who braved the rain, more than half were 49ers fans - a trend that has haunted the Redskins this season. Redskins: S Montae Nicholson was lost to a right ankle injury in the second quarter.
McLaurin helps Redskins earn 1st win against Dolphins, 17-16
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13 Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a catch for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins (0-5) remained winless under rookie coach Brian Flores but helped their chances of securing the No. The Dolphins used six offensive linemen at times and converted two fourth downs, one with special teams trickery. DOLPHINS: Flores said Rosen will remain the starter when the Dolphins play Oct. 20 at Buffalo. The Dolphins lost their season finale there last year, and coach Adam Gase was then fired.
Redskins running backs finally healthy, ready for explosive 2019 season
RICHMOND, Va. - Its day two of Washington Redskins training camp in Richmond as the team prepares for a fresh start in 2019. The run production didnt hit the gear that the Washington Redskins expected a year ago. They had just drafted the explosive Guice from LSU in hopes of having a running core that could run and pass effectively with him and veteran Chris Thompson. Washington added veteran Peterson to the mix and watched him run for more than 1,000 yards. And with a clean bill of health, the Redskins know this could be a dangerous group of guys coming out of the backfield.