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    Trey McBride is voted the NFL’s top tight end by an AP panel
    By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    7/16/26

    Trey McBride is voted the NFL’s top tight end by an AP panel By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    Trey McBride was the bright spot last season for a dismal team in Arizona .

    He was the most productive tight end in the NFL , a near-unanimous All-Pro selection and made his second straight Pro Bowl.

    McBride’s success has also landed him the top spot at tight end in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. He received five first-place votes from a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    George Kittle finished second with three first-place votes. Brock Bowers came in third, followed by Sam LaPorta and Kyle Pitts .

    1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

    McBride had a breakout year in 2024 and followed that up with a record-setting season in 2025.

    He caught 126 passes last season, breaking Zach Ertz’s record for most in a season by a tight end, had 1,239 receiving yards, and his 11 receiving touchdowns tied for first. McBride also led tight ends with 566 yards after the catch.

    He got one second-place vote and two thirds to go with the five firsts in voting for this season's Top 5.

    2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

    Kittle had 57 receptions for 628 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in only 11 games last season, averaging 11.0 yards per reception.

    He had just two drops and 259 yards after the catch.

    The seven-time Pro Bowl pick and two-time All-Pro is one of the best blocking tight ends in NFL history.

    Kittle, who tore his Achilles in San Francisco’s playoff victory over the Eagles, got two second-place votes to go with the three firsts and appeared on seven ballots.

    3. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

    After a sensational All-Pro rookie season, Bowers was plagued by injuries last year. He caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven TDs in 12 games and made his second Pro Bowl.

    Bowers gained 296 yards after the catch, and had three drops. A dynamic receiver, Bowers is still a work in progress as a blocker.

    He received three second-place votes and was on each ballot.

    4. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

    LaPorta was limited to nine games because of injuries last season and had 40 catches for 489 yards and three TDs.

    He wasn’t charged with any drops and totaled 273 yards after the catch. LaPorta is one of the best all-around tight ends in the league and an asset in Detroit’s run game because of his outstanding blocking skills.

    5. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

    Pitts earned second-team All-Pro honors after a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards and five TDs last season.

    Pitts, who was the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history in 2021 when the Falcons selected him No. 4 overall, lived up to expectations as a rookie when he made the Pro Bowl. But he was disappointing until a breakthrough season last year.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Myles Garrett of the Rams is voted as the top edge rusher in the NFL by an AP panel
    By JOSH DUBOW, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    7/15/26

    Myles Garrett of the Rams is voted as the top edge rusher in the NFL by an AP panel By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    Myles Garrett has been the NFL's dominant defensive player for years, leading to his record-setting campaign with 23 sacks last season before being traded in June from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Rams.

    Garrett's performance helped him earn the honor of being named the top off-ball linebacker in the NFL by The Associated Press.

    A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at edge rusher, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    Garrett got all eight first-place votes and won the voting with 80 points. Green Bay's Micah Parsons was the only other player named on all eight ballots and was second with 27 points. Houston's Will Anderson Jr. was third, Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt was fourth and Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson was fifth.

    Brian Burns of the New York Giants, Baltimore's Trey Hendrickson, Las Vegas' Maxx Crosby, San Francisco's Nick Bosa and Jacksonville's Josh Hines-Allen also received votes.

    1. Myles Garrett, Los Angeles Rams

    Garrett won his second AP Defensive Player of the Year award last season and earned All-Pro honors for the fifth time after breaking the single-season sack record held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. His 125 1/2 career sacks are the second-most to Reggie White among players in their first nine seasons in the NFL and Garrett is the only player with five straight seasons with at least 14 sacks.

    Now after playing in only three playoff games in his career with the Browns, Garrett could have a chance to deliver in the postseason following the trade to the preseason Super Bowl favorite Rams.

    2. Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers

    Parsons was dealt from Dallas to Green Bay before last season and delivered 12 1/2 sacks in 14 games while earning his third career All-Pro honor. Parsons' season ended early following a torn ACL in Week 15 that is expected to sideline him for at least the start of this season.

    But Parsons has performed at a high level every year in the NFL and is the only player ever to start his career with five straight seasons with at least 12 sacks.

    3. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

    Anderson is the anchor of one of the NFL's top defenses and earned his first All-Pro honor last season when he had 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. He turned that performance into a three-year, $150 million contract extension in the offseason.

    In three seasons with the Texans, the 24-year-old Anderson has piled up 30 sacks and 136 tackles, including 46 for loss. He also has 64 quarterback hits in his career and has forced four fumbles and recovered three.

    4. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

    Watt's production has dipped a bit in recent years but he still remains one of the game's top pass rushers. He had seven sacks in 14 games last season when he earned his eighth straight Pro Bowl bid.

    He has led the NFL in sacks three times and has 115 for his career.

    5. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

    The No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft bounced back from an injury-shortened 2024 campaign to record a career high last season with 14 1/2 sacks to make his second Pro Bowl and be named a second-team All-Pro.

    Hutchinson has 43 sacks, 100 quarterback hits, 44 tackles for loss and five INTs in 56 career games.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Penei Sewell of the Lions is voted as the top tackle in the NFL by an AP panel
    By JOSH DUBOW, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    7/15/26

    Penei Sewell of the Lions is voted as the top tackle in the NFL by an AP panel By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    Penei Sewell has long been known as perhaps the top run-blocking tackle in the NFL . Once his work in pass protection took a step up, he moved himself into a different category.

    The improvement in pass protection by Sewell last season, when he was named an All-Pro for the third straight season, helped him earn the honors as the top tackle in the NFL by The Associated Press.

    A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at tackle, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    Sewell got three first-place votes and won the voting with 55 points. Tampa Bay's Tristan Wirfs got three first-place votes and finished second with 44 points. Denver's Garett Bolles got the other two first-place votes and came in third with 28 points. San Francisco's Trent Williams was fourth and Philadelphia's Jordan Mailata was fifth.

    Philadelphia's Lane Johnson, Washington's Laremy Tunsil, the Chargers' Rashawn Slater, the Giants' Andrew Thomas and Chicago's Darnell Wright also received votes.

    1. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

    Sewell allowed pressure on just 3.3% of pass plays last season, according to Pro FootballFocus, to rank second among right tackles and fifth among all tackles. He was also the game's top run blocker at tackle as a key part of the running game for the Lions. Sewell's strong overall play helped him win the award as the top protector in the league last season from PFF.

    After spending most of his first five seasons playing on the right side, Sewell will return to his college spot at left tackle this season as Detroit wants him protecting Jared Goff's blindside.

    2. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Wirfs made the switch from right side to left side in 2023 and became the first player to be an All-Pro at both spots since the AP began separating the positions in 2016.

    Wirfs has excelled at both run and pass blocking over his career and has made the Pro Bowl in five straight seasons. He missed the start of last season recovering from a knee injury but quickly got back to his usual form.

    3. Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos

    Bolles entered the NFL as a first-round pick in 2017 and took a little time to develop into a top tackle. But Bolles has been the anchor of one of the top offensive lines the past few years in Denver and earned All-Pro honors for the first time in 2025.

    Bolles allowed no sacks and only 19 pressures during the 2025 regular season, according to PFF.

    4. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

    Williams still performed at a high level last season at age 37 as he bounced back from an injury-plagued 2024 to help San Francisco get back to the playoffs. Williams is coming off his 12th Pro Bowl season — the most for any offensive tackle — and is two shy of tying Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews’ record for an offensive lineman.

    Williams made three straight All-Pro teams from 2021-23 before the injuries limited him to 10 games in 2024. He was healthy for most of last season, playing 16 games for the first time since 2013 when he once again was a dominant run blocker.

    His pass blocking dropped off a bit with his 40 pressures allowed the most since his rookie season with Washington in 2010, according to PFF, but he remains a top player at his position.

    5. Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles

    Mailata is one of the best development stories in the modern NFL. The former Australian rugby star had never played American football before the Eagles drafted him in the seventh round in 2018. Under offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s guidance, he’s become one of the best in the game.

    Mailata earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and has been a steadying force on one of the more consistent lines in the NFL.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Patrick Surtain II is voted the NFL's top cornerback by AP panel for the second straight year
    By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    7/14/26

    Patrick Surtain II is voted the NFL's top cornerback by AP panel for the second straight year By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    Patrick Surtain II has built an impressive resume in just five seasons.

    The Denver Broncos defensive back has made four Pro Bowls, been first-team All-Pro twice, second-team once and was only the seventh cornerback to win AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earning the award after the 2024 season.

    Surtain now has been voted the top NFL cornerback for the second straight year by The Associated Press in a preseason survey.

    Surtain received seven first-place votes from a panel of eight AP pro football writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    Derek Stingley Jr. got the other first-place vote and finished second. Quinyon Mitchell and Devon Witherspoon tied for third, and Trent McDuffie and Sauce Gardner tied for fifth.

    1. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

    Surtain has become an elite player at a premier position. He allowed 31 receptions and a 66.5 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks in 2025.

    Surtain had one interception, mainly because teams don’t throw his direction. He missed three games with a pec strain but returned in the playoffs to help the Broncos reach the AFC championship game.

    2. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans

    Stingley earned All-Pro for the second straight season, and has developed into one of the league’s best cover cornerbacks for Houston’s stingy defense.

    He had four interceptions, allowed 34 receptions in coverage and broke up nine passes in coverage last season. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 67.4 passer rating against him.

    Stingley was selected one spot ahead of Sauce Gardner at No. 3 overall in the 2022 draft.

    He got five second-place votes and appeared on seven ballots.

    3. (tie) Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles

    Mitchell earned All-Pro honors in just his second season in the NFL.

    He gave up 36 catches in coverage, broke up seven passes and QBs had just a 58.4 passer rating against him. Mitchell doesn’t have an interception in the regular season but he’s snagged four picks in five playoff games for the Eagles.

    Mitchell appeared on six ballots.

    3. (tie) Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

    Witherspoon made his third Pro Bowl in three seasons, earned second-team All-Pro honors and helped Seattle win the Super Bowl.

    He surrendered 46 receptions in coverage and QBs had a 99.8 passer rating against him. Witherspoon appeared on four ballots.

    5. (tie) Trent McDuffie , Los Angeles Rams

    McDuffie has been one of the league’s best slot cornerbacks in his first four seasons in Kansas City, helping the Chiefs win two Super Bowls and play in another one.

    McDuffie was a first-team All-Pro slot cornerback in 2023 and a second-team choice in 2024. The Rams acquired him for a package of draft picks, including No. 29 overall in this April's draft.

    He allowed 37 passes in coverage, broke up four and had one pick. He allowed a 94.7 passer rating when targeted.

    McDuffie appeared on three ballots.

    5. (tie) Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts

    The two-time All-Pro was traded from the Jets to the Colts in a blockbuster deal for two first-round picks midway through last season but played in only four games for his new team because of a calf injury.

    Gardner received three votes.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Fred Warner of the 49ers is voted as the top off-ball linebacker in the NFL by an AP panel
    By JOSH DUBOW, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    7/13/26

    Fred Warner of the 49ers is voted as the top off-ball linebacker in the NFL by an AP panel By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    Fred Warner managed to play only six games last season for the San Francisco 49ers before a broken right ankle ended his season prematurely in Week 6 .

    Warner's play up until that point and his all-around dominance over the past several years still was enough to help him earn the honor of being named the top off-ball linebacker in the NFL by The Associated Press.

    A panel of eight AP pro football writers ranked the top five players at off-ball linebacker, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    Warner got six first-place votes and won the voting with 60 points. Detroit's Jack Campbell got the other two first-place votes and finished second with 39 points. Philadelphia's Zack Baun was third, Carolina's Devin Lloyd was fourth, and Miami's Jordyn Brooks and Baltimore's Roquan Smith tied for fifth.

    Green Bay's Zaire Franklin, Seattle's Ernest Jones IV, Tennessee's Cedric Gray, Kansas City's Nick Bolton, Cleveland's Carson Schwesinger and Bobby Wagner also received votes.

    1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

    Warner had been a first-team All-Pro from 2022-24, as well as 2020, as the leader of San Francisco's defense. Warner is the prototypical linebacker for the modern game as he excels in both pass coverage and stopping the run.

    Warner is the only player currently on an NFL roster with at least 10 career sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles. In his last three healthy seasons, Warner had 393 tackles, seven interceptions, 28 passes defensed and nine forced fumbles.

    2. Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions

    The Lions surprised some watchers when they used the 18th overall pick to draft Campbell in 2023 out of Iowa. Campbell quickly showed why that was a shrewd decision.

    He's been a key component of Detroit's defense since his rookie year and took his game to a new level in 2025 when he was named first-team All-Pro after becoming the first player since at least 2000 to have at least 160 tackles and five sacks in a season. The Lions rewarded Campbell with an $81 million, four-year extension earlier this offseason.

    3. Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles

    Baun followed up his breakthrough 2024 season, when he helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl, with another strong campaign as he firmly established himself as one of the game's top linebackers.

    Baun had struggled to get on the field on defense as an edge rusher his first four seasons in New Orleans, but has been a star at linebacker on Vic Fangio's defense in Philadelphia. He was an All-Pro in 2024 and made his second straight Pro Bowl last season after recording 123 tackles, seven passes defensed, seven tackles for loss and 3 1/2 sacks.

    4. Devin Lloyd, Carolina Panthers

    The 2022 first-round pick by Jacksonville had a breakthrough season last year with the Jaguars that earned him a three-year, $45 million contract from Carolina in the offseason.

    Lloyd's five interceptions were tied for the most by any linebacker in the last 12 seasons and he had a 99-yard return for a TD after picking off a pass from Patrick Mahomes.

    5. (tie), Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins

    Brooks was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Dolphins as he earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. The former first-round pick by Seattle has stepped up his game after being signed in free agency by Miami before the 2024 season.

    He led the NFL with 183 tackles last season, including 99 solo tackles.

    5. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens

    Smith has been a steadying force for Baltimore's defense since being acquired in a midseason trade from Chicago in 2022. He has been a Pro Bowler in all three full seasons with the Ravens and made first-team All-Pro in 2023 and '24.

    His six straight seasons with at least 130 tackles are tied for the second-longest streak in the NFL since at least 2000, trailing only Bobby Wagner's current 10-year run.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Bijan Robinson of the Falcons is voted as the top running back in the NFL by an AP panel
    By JOSH DUBOW, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    7/13/26

    Bijan Robinson of the Falcons is voted as the top running back in the NFL by an AP panel By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    The expectations for Bijan Robinson were high as soon as he entered the NFL in 2023 as the first running back taken with a top-10 pick in five years.

    Robinson made an impact almost from the start with the Atlanta Falcons and then took his game to another level last season when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and was picked as the All-Pro running back.

    That production helped Robinson win the honor of being named the top running back in the league by The Associated Press.

    A panel of eight AP pro football writers ranked the top five players at running back, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    Robinson got three first-place votes, one second and was the only player named on all eight ballots to win the voting with 41 points. San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey got two first-place votes and finished second with 33 points, with Baltimore's Derrick Henry also getting two first-place votes and coming in third with 30 points.

    The other first-place vote went to Saquon Barkley, who finished fourth, with Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs coming in fifth.

    Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor and Buffalo's James Cook also received votes.

    1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

    Robinson, the eighth pick in 2023, is one of the top dual-threat backs in the league, finishing fourth in the league in rushing last season with 1,478 yards to go along with 820 yards receiving.

    He became the second player ever with at least 1,400 yards rushing and 800 yards receiving in the same season, joining Steven Jackson, who did it in 2006.

    Robinson led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 TDs on the season.

    2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

    McCaffrey has established himself as the most dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield and is a focal point of Kyle Shanahan's passing game in San Francisco.

    McCaffrey wasn't the explosive runner last season as he had been earlier in his career, rushing for 1,202 yards and averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. He more than made up for that with 102 catches for 924 yards as he nearly became the first player ever with two seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing and receiving.

    McCaffrey generated an NFL-best 119 first downs, matching the most for any player in the past 15 seasons.

    3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

    People have been waiting for Henry to shows signs of decline as he reached his 30s but it hasn't been evident yet.

    Henry has topped 1,500 yards rushing in each of the past two seasons after turning 30, with his five 1,500-yard seasons tied with Barry Sanders for the most ever.

    Henry ranked second in the NFL last season with 1,595 yards rushing and is 10th all-time with 13,018 yards. He set a record last season with his seventh 200-yard game and has a record-tying four seasons with at least 15 TD runs.

    4. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

    Barkley took a step back from his record-setting 2024 season when his 2,504 yards rushing in the regular season and playoffs were the most ever as Philadelphia's offense was less potent last season. He still managed to rush for 1,140 yards and scored nine total TDs to earn some support in this voting.

    5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

    Gibbs has been a scoring machine since entering the league with Robinson in 2023, when he was picked four spots later at No. 12 overall. Gibbs' 49 career touchdowns are the most ever for a player before turning 24 years old, topping the previous mark of 47 set by Lions legend Barry Sanders.

    Gibbs rushed for 1,223 yards and added 616 more receiving last season when he scored 18 overall TDs.

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    Rams left tackle Jackson assigned to pre-filing diversion and can avoid domestic violence charge
    7/12/26

    Rams left tackle Jackson assigned to pre-filing diversion and can avoid domestic violence charge The Associated Press LOS ANGELES

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on June 9 on suspicion of felony domestic violence, has the opportunity to avoid criminal charges.

    Los Angeles City Attorney's Office spokesman Ivor Pine confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press on Monday that Jackson's case has been assigned for a pre-filing diversion available to eligible individuals. The City Attorney Hearing is an alternative to misdemeanor criminal prosecution.

    Though charges will not be filed against Jackson at this time, the case remains open and can be re-evaluated if there are more developments.

    At the time of the arrest, the Los Angeles Police Department said officers were called to Jackson's home in the West Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. NBC4 reported that Jackson allegedly attempted to take a phone away from a woman when he thought he was being recorded, and the woman had scratches on her arm.

    Jackson has been the Rams’ starting left tackle for the past three seasons, starting 45 regular-season games and six playoff games. The former undrafted free agent re-signed with the Rams on a three-year, $57 million deal in February 2025.

    The Rams issued a statement following the arrest saying the team was aware of the incident "and we take these matters very seriously. Due to this being an ongoing legal situation, we cannot comment further at this time.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

    Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death
    By JIM VERTUNO, AP Sports Writer | 
    7/6/26

    Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November 2025 after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated head trauma, his family announced Tuesday.

    The Boston University CTE Center, which investigates the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and others, analyzed Kneeland's brain tissue after his death. Researchers determined Kneeland, who was 24, was in stage one of four of CTE.

    ___

    EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

    ___

    CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans and others who experience repetitive blows to the head. It has been known to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior and depression. It can be diagnosed only after death.

    “While this diagnosis does not change the tragedy of his passing, it provides important context about some of the struggles he may have been facing. We share this information to help people understand what NFL and other high contact sport athletes might be struggling with,” Kneeland’s family, including his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, said in a statement issued through the Concussion and CTE Foundation.

    “Raising awareness is important to us. We continue to remember Marshawn with compassion for the person he was, rather than defining him by the final moments of his life. One Love,” the family said.

    The abnormality has also been linked to deaths in the National Football League, as well as in hockey and soccer.

    Kneeland shot himself after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing a car crash on foot.

    The chase happened after police said Kneeland didn’t stop for Texas Department of Public Safety troopers over a traffic violation. Authorities lost sight of the vehicle before locating it crashed minutes later.

    As authorities were looking for Kneeland after he fled the crash site on foot, a dispatcher told officers that people who knew him had received a group text from Kneeland “saying goodbye,” indicating he might be suicidal.

    Dr. Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, noted Kneeland's diagnosis comes even amid a modern era of concussion protocols in professional and college athletics and better safety equipment.

    Kneeland started playing tackle football when he was 7 years old. He played at Western Michigan University before he was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

    “We have no reason to believe the current generation is at a lower risk of CTE than previous generations. Concussion protocols do not prevent CTE, because CTE is caused by repeated head impacts, not just concussions,” Nowinski said. “If we want to reduce CTE risk, we must implement CTE prevention protocols and aggressively reduce the number and strength of head impacts at every level of the game.”

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    Cornerback Rasul Douglas agrees to a 1-year contract with the Commanders, AP source says
    By STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Sports Writer | 
    7/5/26

    Cornerback Rasul Douglas agrees to a 1-year contract with the Commanders, AP source says By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer The Associated Press

    Veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas has agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders on a contract for next season, according to a person familiar with the deal.

    The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract had not yet been signed.

    Douglas, who turns 31 on Aug. 29, returns to the NFC East after beginning his NFL career in the division with Philadelphia. A third-round pick in 2017, he helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in his rookie year.

    With Washington coming off a season in which it ranked last in the league on defense, general manager Adam Peters has been active in adding talent on that side of the ball. Douglas is the latest addition after signing safety Nick Cross, cornerback Amik Robertson, edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson and linebacker Leo Chenal and drafting Sonny Styles with the seventh pick.

    Douglas played in 15 and started 13 games for the Miami Dolphins last season, finishing with two interceptions and 62 tackles. He made previous stops with Buffalo, Green Bay and Carolina after leaving Philadelphia and has played in 146 career games, counting the playoffs, since turning pro.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

    Teammates of Travis Kelce and others around sports attend his wedding to Taylor Swift
    By STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Sports Writer | 
    7/2/26

    Teammates of Travis Kelce and others around sports attend his wedding to Taylor Swift By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer The Associated Press NEW YORK

    NEW YORK (AP) — JuJu Smith-Schuster was there. So was Cooper Kupp, fresh off winning the Super Bowl.

    NFL players and other prominent sports figures made up part of the star-studded crowd for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

    Kareem Hunt was one of Kelce's many current or former Kansas City Chiefs teammates spotted in New York ahead of the wedding, which was expected to also be attended by Kelce's retired Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning brother Jason , San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and others from football, golf and beyond.

    Soccer even had a presence, albeit in the form of “Ted Lasso” actor Jason Sudeikis, himself a big Chiefs fan.

    The wedding is taking place at the home arena of the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s Rangers. Swift attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals there, sitting courtside as the Knicks pulled off the biggest comeback at that stage of the playoffs in league history by rallying from down 29 to beat San Antonio.

    MSG has been the site of some iconic sports moments since the current version opened at this location atop Penn Station in 1968.

    The Knicks won their first NBA title there in 1970, when Willis Reed famously returned from injury to spark their Game 7 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

    Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali there in the first of the legends' three boxing matches against each other, the “Fight of the Century,” in 1971. Ali won the rematch in '74.

    The Rangers ended their 54-year championship drought at the Garden in 1994, defeating the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup.

    Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City and a four-time AP All-Pro selection at his position. Jason was a seven-time All-Pro center who helped Philadelphia win the Super Bowl in the 2017 season.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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    Myles Garrett of the Rams is voted as the top edge rusher in the NFL by an AP panel
    Penei Sewell of the Lions is voted as the top tackle in the NFL by an AP panel
    Patrick Surtain II is voted the NFL's top cornerback by AP panel for the second straight year
    Fred Warner of the 49ers is voted as the top off-ball linebacker in the NFL by an AP panel
    Bijan Robinson of the Falcons is voted as the top running back in the NFL by an AP panel
    Rams left tackle Jackson assigned to pre-filing diversion and can avoid domestic violence charge
    Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death
    Cornerback Rasul Douglas agrees to a 1-year contract with the Commanders, AP source says
    Teammates of Travis Kelce and others around sports attend his wedding to Taylor Swift
    Lions looking at options at cornerback after releasing Terrion Arnold as he faces felony charges
    Detroit Lions release cornerback Terrion Arnold following the NFL player's arrest on kidnapping and robbery charges
    Federal judge David Doty, whose 1992 ruling paved the way for modern NFL free agency, has died at 96
    Brandon Aiyuk says he will sign with the Commanders if the 49ers grant his wish for a release
    Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold is charged with directing attack against 3 people in Florida
    Falcons agree to $54 million, 3-year deal that makes Kyle Pitts Sr. 1 of NFL's top paid tight ends
    Dexter Lawrence looking to keep same offseason approach before reporting to Bengals' training camp
    Chargers' Justin Herbert adjusting footwork during offseason program
    Vikings eager to develop versatile rookie linebacker Jake Golday
    Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich raves about QB Geno Smith's 'elite' football mind

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