NEW ORLEANS — It is approaching happy hour, which is any waking hour on Bourbon Street, the jazz bellowing from street musicians as tourists sip daiquiris from plastic contraptions.

Even on a windy midweek afternoon, this area is a kaleidoscope of beads, booze and beignets. Bars advertise that hangovers are installed — and repaired.

A ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Coach Kyle Shanahan conceded Wednesday there’s a certain amount of post traumatic stress that comes with reviewing the game film of last Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, but it was a necessary step for the 49ers to go back in time and review how and why they lost 25-22 in overtime in Super Bowl LVIII.

With that behind them, the ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Ryan McCollum breathlessly answered some questions, then threw on his “Girl Dad” hat and hustled to his next meeting.

As much as he has vowed to stay ready throughout his NFL career, the Steelers’ new starting center — at least until rookie Zach Frazier is back healthy — is a bit busier these days. What if someone would...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Running back Aaron Jones reported to Vikings headquarters every day throughout last week’s bye, putting his injured right hamstring through a litany of healing tactics in the hope of playing Sunday against the Lions.

“Lot of stretching, lot of deep tissue massage,” Jones said Wednesday. “Needles; I hate needles by the ...Read more

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — From the department of Questions We Never Expected to Ask:

Are the Bucs a running team?

On the surface, this is a wacky thought. Tampa Bay finished dead last in rushing in 2022 and 2023. It had been 30 years since an NFL team had done that in consecutive seasons and yet, today, this heretofore sad-sack group is sixth in ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt was the organization’s voice when the team released Kareem Hunt in 2018 after a video surfaced of him pushing and kicking a woman during an altercation.

In his first comments since Kareem Hunt rejoined the team last month, Clark Hunt said enough time had passed and remorse was displayed ...Read more

MIAMI — It’s no secret that Black quarterbacks have historically faced a separate set of challenges.

They’re constantly asked about switching positions. They’re not thought of as natural leaders. They’re often criticized for running too much. The list goes on and on.

And while the stigma is certainly changing, in part due to talents ...Read more

SEATTLE — It’s rare that you know just what you’re going to get from DK Metcalf. That’s true of his on-field production and interactions with the press.

No doubt he is one of the more dynamic players in football — an incessant deep threat who’s good for at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season. But he may also cost his team 15 ...Read more

NEW YORK — Hours after the trade between the Jets and the Raiders was finalized wide receiver Davante Adams took a red eye to New Jersey on Tuesday morning.

Now, the three-time first-team All-Pro will debut this Sunday.

Adams, who has missed the last three weeks due to a hamstring injury, says he will play against the Steelers on Sunday ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — As the Rams come out of their off week, they will play the struggling Las Vegas Raiders and the currently unbeaten Minnesota Vikings in the span of five days.

Will injured star receiver Cooper Kupp return against one or both?

That is perhaps the overarching question for the Rams as they attempt to rebound from a 1-4 start.

...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley can’t point to another moment in his career exactly like this one — the return to a place that he called home for six years as a member of the rival team. From Whitehall High School to Penn State to the NFL, his first game back at MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants as an Eagle on Sunday is an ...Read more

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell wants to make sure superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson knows one thing during his rehab: He's always got a place at the facility.

Hutchinson broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in the third quarter of Detroit's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The injury occurred ...Read more

CHICAGO — It was with a hearty smile on his face that Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos suggested tight end Cole Kmet deserved an award after Sunday’s 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

Kmet filled in as the long snapper after Scott Daly suffered a left knee injury while covering the team’s second — and final — ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The same as ever, quarterback-driven discussions have framed this football season in Western Pennsylvania — Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, the emergence of Eli Holstein at Pitt and Penn State's Drew Allar taking an important next step.

Football fans around here also derive serious satisfaction from defense. But might it be ...Read more

NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers was clearly agitated when he came to the podium after Monday night’s 23-20 loss to the Bills.

But the quarterback likely feels more optimistic after the Jets acquired his old friend Davante Adams in a trade with the Raiders on Tuesday.

Gang Green sent Las Vegas a conditional third-round pick in next year’s draft ...Read more

DENVER — Sean Payton has a story for just about everything.

He uses them to make a point or teach a lesson. Flash some charm or establish control.

Reminisce about good times past or forecast the future.

He has one he likes about Drew Brees on the night they played their first game together at the Superdome in New Orleans, late September ...Read more

MIAMI — The one-third mark of the NFL regular season is a time to reconnoiter and perhaps to recalibrate expectations. Within the AFC East, these are times of hope and consternation.

The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and New England Patriots have fed fans new reasons for hope.

The Miami Dolphins, alas, sent a message this week that was ...Read more

GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 7 THURSDAY PICK

BRONCOS (3-3) at SAINTS (2-4)

Line: DEN by 2 1/2.

Cote’s pick: DEN, 20-17.

TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.

If you had Bo Nix vs. Spencer Rattler before the season as your Week 7 QB matchup, congrats. You’re alone, globally. Nix, yeah. But Rattler as an emergency deployment on account of Derek ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Viewers may never know whether Tom Brady is a transcendent football analyst or an unlistenable bore because he's chosen to handcuff himself by becoming a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The NFL placed restrictions on Brady in August when his purchase of a 10% stake in the Raiders was pending approval. League owners ...Read more