Minnesota Vikings
FILE - In this July 23, 2019, file photo, Atlanta Falcons rookie offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) is shown during their NFL training camp football practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. The Falcons' offensive line remains a work in progress. Having rookie first-round pick Kaleb McGary again cleared for contact following a heart procedure may help. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Falcons OT Gono (back) ruled out for opener vs Vikings

Sep. 06, 2019 02:24 PM EDT

FILE - This Jan. 17, 2012, file photo shows New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks at a season-ending news conference in Metairie, La. In March 2012, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for one season, general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games because players were paid bonuses for injuring opposing team players. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
NFL At 100: A look at the biggest scandals in NFL history

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 06, 2019 12:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) leads the team onto the field for the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The Patriots have been playing down the fact they weren’t chosen for the opener of the NFL’s 100th season despite their latest Lombardi Trophy. But their coaching staff finds little items to push the players’ buttons, and Brady is as strong a motivator to teammates as anyone in the league. The Patriots play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Foxborough this week. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
NFL 2019: Browns outmatch Raiders for NFL drama crown

By Barry Wilner Sep. 05, 2019 11:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs after a catch during their NFL training camp football practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. For Julio Jones, it's just business as usual _ even as he closes in on a huge new contract with the Atlanta Falcons. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Without new contract, Julio Jones plans to play in opener

By Matt Winkeljohn Sep. 05, 2019 07:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2018, file photo, New York Jets defensive back Trumaine Johnson (22) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. Johnson might be the most important Jets player not named Sam Darnold, Le'Veon Bell or Jamal Adams. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
After disappointing season, Trumaine Johnson a key to Jets D

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 05, 2019 05:59 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer talks with reporters following the team's 27-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills in an NFL preseason football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Falcons, Vikings in similar spots, needing defense to lead

By Dave Campbell Sep. 05, 2019 05:54 PM EDT

Bills-Jets Capsule

By The Associated Press Sep. 05, 2019 03:58 PM EDT
BUFFALO (6-10) at NEW YORK JETS (4-12) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS OPENING LINE — Jets by 3 RECORD VS. SPREAD — Buffalo 7-9, New...

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in the pocket against the Washington Redskins during the first half an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Falcons-Vikings Preview Capsule

By The Associated Press Sep. 05, 2019 01:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2017, file photo, Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) pressures Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. The Falcons won 24-21. Neal is one of several key defensive players back from injury for the Falcons after a disappointing season in 2018. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12/18/2017

Sep. 05, 2019 09:02 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2018, file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive back Xavier Rhodes, right, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dante Pettis during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. Rhodes, whose play was affected by injury last year, is one of several players being counted on to help get the team back to the playoffs. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings 9/9/2018

Sep. 05, 2019 09:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones runs back to the bench after he intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta. When Jones, Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal take the field for Sunday's season opener at Minnesota, they'll be eager to show just what this team was missing when three of its defensive standouts went down with serious injuries. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons 12/16/2018

Sep. 05, 2019 01:08 AM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins runs off the field during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Cousins, Vikings enter crossroad year, with more help for QB

By Dave Campbell Sep. 04, 2019 07:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns' Baker Mayfield, left, smiles as he talks with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Cleveland. Mayfield isn’t concerned about the huge expectations being placed on the Browns, who went 7-8-1 during his rookie season but upgraded their roster and should compete for their first playoff spot since 2002. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Leading man: QB Baker Mayfield brings hope, hype to Browns

By Tom Withers Sep. 04, 2019 02:48 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt kicks against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. The Minnesota Vikings have yet another new specialist, veteran punter Britton Colquitt, after making the swap for Matt Wile. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
With Colquitt, Vikings hope to have found kicking continuity

By Dave Campbell Sep. 02, 2019 06:43 PM EDT

Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Doctson (18) makes the catch against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Chris Cooper (34) during the first half an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
AP Source: Vikings agree to deal with WR Josh Doctson

By Dave Campbell Sep. 02, 2019 05:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt kicks against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. The Minnesota Vikings have yet another new specialist, veteran punter Britton Colquitt, after making the swap for Matt Wile. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers 10/28/2018

Sep. 02, 2019 02:40 PM EDT

Panthers release WR Torrey Smith; claim 3 off waivers

Sep. 01, 2019 09:02 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers cut veteran wide receiver Torrey Smith, running back Elijah Holyfield and cornerback Kevon Seymour, and claimed wide receivers...

New York Jets' Taylor Bertolet (1) kicks a field goal during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Jim McIsaac)
Jets claim K Vedvik from Vikings, cut Bertolet, 3 others

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 01, 2019 04:55 PM EDT

Denver Broncos quarterback Kevin Hogan (9) hands off against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
McCoy among prominent cuts as NFL teams pare rosters

By Arnie Stapleton Aug. 31, 2019 06:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (11) walks on the field in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Treadwell is likely closing in on the end of his lackluster tenure with the Vikings, three years after they drafted the wide receiver in the first round. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Kicker/punter prospect Vedvik among Vikings cuts

By Dave Campbell Aug. 31, 2019 06:17 PM EDT