NFL News

Former Cowboys running back Duane Thomas died Sunday, the team confirmed Tuesday. Thomas was 77. The Cowboys made Thomas a first-round pick in 1970. He led the team in rushing as a rookie, with 803 yards and five touchdowns while finishing second in rookie of the year voting. He accounted for another 358 yards and two touchdowns on 81 touches …

Russell Wilson remains in pole position. The 35-year-old veteran, a Super Bowl winner and one-time short-list franchise quarterback, appears as the starter in the Steelers’ first depth chart of preseason. Wilson has not practiced much during training camp, due to a calf injury suffered during the conditioning test. Justin Fields, a first-round pick of the Bears in 2021, is the …

The Patriots are out of the running for Brandon Aiyuk, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The team had the framework of a deal in place with the 49ers for the star receiver pending working out a long-term contract agreement with Aiyuk. But Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area said Aiyuk did not show interest in going to New England. …

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback role is Russell Wilson’s to lose, apparently. The former Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos starter sits atop the QB group in the team’s first official depth chart of training camp, with ex-Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields behind him. Veteran backup Kyle Allen and undrafted rookie John Rhys Plumlee occupy the remaining slots. It’s not a …

Early in Tuesday’s season premier of “Hard Knocks” featuring the Chicago Bears, Nick Saban made a cameo. The recently retired Alabama coaching legend got his head coaching start in 1990 with Toledo. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus played linebacker at Toledo that season. He invited Saban to Bears training camp to appear in front of “Hard Knocks” cameras and offer …

BEREA, Ohio — The 2024 Cleveland Browns are shooting their shot — and not just in trade conversations for receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Browns are shooting their shots on offense as they retool their scheme for this season under head coach Kevin Stefanski and new-to-Cleveland offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. And they want to shoot shots often. Allow general manager Andrew …

Sherman doesn’t foresee ‘happy ending’ to 49ers-Aiyuk saga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Richard Sherman does not see a scenario where the situation between the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk ends well. Speaking on his eponymous podcast, the NFL legend explained his take on the ongoing saga between San Francisco and its superstar wideout. “It’s such a weird situation …

Report: Shanahan ‘bothered’ by Aiyuk’s behavior amid 49ers hold-in originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The 49ers’ ongoing saga with Brandon Aiyuk has appeared cordial on the outside, but internally, coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly became fed up with the wide receiver’s recent antics. San Francisco could deal Aiyuk at any moment after contract extension negotiations with him hit a …

Special Caleb Williams’ ‘Hard Knocks’ moments show why belief in Bears’ bright future is justified originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago Everything the Bears have done for the last seven months has been for the sole purpose of maximizing the rare opportunity they have in front of them after drafting quarterback Caleb Williams. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach …

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is week to week after sustaining a knee injury in a joint practice against the Chargers on Sunday, but coach Sean McVay expects him to be available in time to play in the season opener at Detroit on Sept. 8. “Really just had a little bit of bursa sac kind of bursted, and …

Early in Tuesday’s season premier of “Hard Knocks” featuring the Chicago Bears, Nick Saban made a cameo. The recently retired Alabama coaching legend got his head coaching start in 1990 with Toledo. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus played linebacker at Toledo that season. He invited Saban to Bears training camp to appear in front of “Hard Knocks” cameras and offer …

Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens returned from Paris full of pride in what his wife, Simone Biles, accomplished and showing off her Olympic pin. Owens is back practicing at Bears training camp this week after getting time away to go to Paris and watch Biles win three gold medals and one silver. “It was amazing to watch,” Owens said after …

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will miss about two weeks of practice after straining his calf. McCaffrey hurt his calf late last week, adding that he didn’t pull a muscle, coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. McCaffrey wouldn’t play in the preseason but should be back at practice well before the start of the regular season on Sept. …

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) will be on the sideline for much of camp. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Nothing serious. Nothing structurally significant. That’s how Rams coach Sean McVay on Tuesday described the knee injury star receiver Puka Nacua suffered during a joint practice with the Chargers on Sunday. If there is cause for concern — and anything …

What 49ers could receive in Aiyuk trade with Steelers, Browns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area While the door has not slammed shut on Brandon Aiyuk remaining with the 49ers, all of the focus right now is on completing a trade. On Tuesday, the New England Patriots removed themselves from the picture, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, citing sources. Aiyuk …