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

MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a left hamstring strain during Thursday’s practice and will be held out for the time being, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday.

The team will “re-evaluate him next week,” O’Connell said. Jefferson sat out the second half of Thursday’s practice, after which he said ...Read more

NEW YORK — Just a day after he left the practice field in a cart, Justin Fields returned to the practice field on Friday morning.

Fields dislocated his toe early Thursday during 11-on-11 drills, but he is considered day-to-day.

To begin Friday’s practice, Fields was seen jogging, showing no noticeable limp from his injury. He also signed ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Omar Khan insists the Steelers are not putting all their eggs in this season’s basket and their goal is always to try to win a Super Bowl.

I get all that and I understand they have loaded up on draft picks for the next two years, but a quick glance at their roster would suggest this team, at least as currently constituted, is ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The first practice of training camp was over and most of the Vikings players had retreated to the locker room, except for a few stragglers who wanted to get in more individual work.

Naturally, the fifth-oldest and second-longest-tenured player on the roster was among the last to leave, even though the indoor practice facility ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Raiders have released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and are seeking to void the remaining $35.2 million in guarantees on his contract.

The move puts a dramatic end to Wilkins’ tenure with the Raiders, who signed him to a four-year, $110 million contract in the 2024 offseason with $82.75 million guaranteed. He played in ...Read more

DENVER — Evan Engram flew west to Denver, in large part, because of him. So did Talanoa Hufanga. So did Dre Greenlaw. The Broncos’ 2025 roster has coalesced around Bo Nix, both via incoming talent and the personalities already in his locker room, everyone acknowledging their fortune depends on the 25-year-old behind center.

“We have Bo’...Read more