Football News

DENVER (AP) -- Linebacker D.J. Williams is on track to make his 2012 debut Sunday against San Diego after the Denver Broncos put him on their 53-man roster Saturday.

Led by a handful of well-prepared quarterbacks, rookies are having an unexpected impact in the N.F.L. this season.

Will Hill of the Giants, an undrafted rookie free-agent safety, is dealing with the residue of his undisciplined past.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jacksonville defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, Kansas City linebacker Tamba Hali and New England LB Brandon Spikes were fined $25,000 each by the NFL on Friday for hits in recent games.

Hall of Famer Mike Ditka has had a minor stroke, an ESPN producer said.

A fan ejected from Thursday night's game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins was found dead in a small creek Friday morning near Ralph Wilson Stadium, according to multiple reports.

Super Bowl winning player and coach Mike Ditka was taken to hospital after a minor stroke on Friday and will be rested from his usual weekend television commitments.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will miss Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins because of a concussion, the National Football League (NFL) team said on Friday.

A lawsuit brought by thousands of former NFL players against the league for allegedly denying any link of gridiron play to long-term brain damage may benefit from information in an investigative report on Friday.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts got an inspirational visit from ailing coach Chuck Pagano on Friday, two days before a game at New England.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has been fined $25,000 by the National Football League for a severe hit on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, the league said on Friday.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Jim Harbaugh practically galloped through the locker room, lively as ever, offering a wave and a smile to long snapper Brian Jennings before putting his arm around right guard Alex Boone.

The Indianapolis Colts got an inspirational visit from ailing coach Chuck Pagano on Friday, two days before a game at New England.

New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes was fined $25,000 for his hit on Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last Sunday that prompted Fitzpatrick to later call him a "punk at times."

Jim Harbaugh practically galloped through the locker room, lively as ever, offering a wave and a smile to long snapper Brian Jennings before putting his arm around right guard Alex Boone.