Wire NFL

A sports series is the most-watched prime-time show for an entire television season for the first time.

The NFL and its referees' union have agreed to federal mediation.

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks is expected to be sidelined up to three months after breaking his right foot at a team organized activity early Thursday.

Mark Sanchez smiled for a split-second when a reporter labeled him as the most scrutinized guy in the New York Jets' locker room.

The lockout was easier than all this.

Andy Lee has made every punt and held every field goal and extra-point attempt - minus a few in the preseason - for the San Francisco 49ers since 2004.

Peyton Manning's two biggest targets are a pair of promising young receivers who have already made their mark in the NFL despite spending lots of time on the sideline.

As far as Eli Manning is concerned, the fulfillment of teammate Justin Tuck's claim that the New York Giants can turn into an NFL dynasty began Wednesday with the first organized team activity.

The players union claimed Wednesday that the NFL imposed a secret salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost the players at least $1 billion.

Forced to fight for his name in a "public trial" against the NFL, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita vowed he did not participate in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program.

The NFL's move to make thigh and knee pads mandatory equipment for the 2013 season already has drawn criticism from the guys who will have to wear them.

An arbitrator upheld the NFL's salary cap reductions on the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins for this season and next.

Junior Seau's suicide is troubling NFL players.

NFL players union president Domonique Foxworth sent a letter to his membership Monday outlining the gains they made in the collective bargaining agreement reached last summer with the league.

New York Jets defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis pleaded guilty Monday to assault and battery stemming from a 2010 fight while attending college in Virginia.

With no sign of a contract breakthrough for Drew Brees on the eve of the Saints' first offseason practice, safety Roman Harper tried to look on the bright side.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded tight end Kellen Winslow to the Seattle Seahawks for a draft pick on Monday night and signed former Colts star Dallas Clark to replace him.

Texans star receiver Andre Johnson said Monday that he will be out for three to four weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

His passes were hitting receivers in stride and right between the numbers, not skipping off the ground or whizzing behind their heads like so many of Tim Tebow's.

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams' trial on driving under the influence and traffic charges ended in a mistrial just hours after it began Monday after his lawyer objected to how jurors were selected.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says he isn't taking any of Drew Brees' recent complaints about the slow pace of contract negotiations personally.

Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, claiming the league's top executive made false statements that tarnished Vilma's reputation and hindered his ability to earn a living playing football.

Drew Brees said in a radio interview Wednesday night that he is frustrated by what he views as a lack of communication with the New Orleans Saints in his ongoing contract negotiations, adding the club should have shown more urgency to get a long-term deal done.

A San Diego restaurant opened by Junior Seau in 1996 has closed its doors two weeks after the NFL star's suicide.

Arbitrator Shyam Das heard arguments Wednesday from NFL and players union lawyers on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell can discipline players for actions that occurred before the league's current labor agreement was signed last August.

A bicycle stolen from Junior Seau's Oceanside home days after the former NFL star's suicide has been recovered, police said.

Like a little kid with a brand new toy, Eli Manning couldn't wait.

Tate Forcier is heading north to pursue a professional football career.

Southern California authorities have called off a search for former professional football player Erik Affholter after learning he contacted his ex-wife and mother by telephone.

The NFL players' union grievance against the league in the Saints bounties scandal will be heard Wednesday.

The St. Louis Rams and the public entity that operates the Edward Jones Dome are far apart in their plans on how to improve the facility.

The Vikings stadium deal that Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law Monday involves plenty of public participation, but it also prevents the public from getting a look at the team's finances during their partnership to build the $975 million stadium.