4:28 PM ET ESPN staff It was a big birthday Wednesday around the NFL. None was bigger (or older) than Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady turning 45. There were many “goat” tributes to be had across social media. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 38, was asked at the end of his Wednesday news

5:00 PM ET Editor’s note: This originally ran Monday and has been updated with the news the NFL is appealing Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension, seeking a tougher penalty for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on accusations ranging from inappropriate behavior to sexual assault during massage sessions. More than two years after the first

5:38 PM ET A busy week of NFL discipline continued Tuesday as the league stripped the Miami Dolphins of their 2023 first-round pick, among other measures, for tampering violations commissioner Roger Goodell said were of “unprecedented scope and severity.” The announcement came one day after an independent disciplinary officer suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson

5:20 PM ET Alaina GetzenbergESPN PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer hyperextended his elbow during the team’s training camp practice Tuesday and will miss “a few weeks,” a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bills are set to play in the league’s season opener Sept. 8 vs. the Los Angeles Rams, and the

3:37 PM ET Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. underwent thumb surgery Tuesday and will miss a portion of training camp, coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters. At this point, the Vikings hope that Smith will be ready in time for their Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers. “We still feel very strongly

6:00 PM ET PITTSBURGH — Chris Boswell isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Steelers secured the place kicker’s services by inking him to a new four-year, $20.5 million extension, his agent Jeff Nalley told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday night. Boswell received $12.5 million guaranteed and his extension ties him with Justin Tucker as the highest-paid

3:52 PM ET SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The six-game suspension Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was given Monday for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy didn’t draw a big reaction from the quarterback he replaced. Baker Mayfield, traded from Cleveland to the Carolina Panthers four months after the Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in

4:07 PM ET Brady HendersonESPN RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms while at home, the team announced on Monday. According to the Seahawks’ statement, Carroll tested positive on Sunday, which was a day off for players. He’s remaining at home and is in

8:24 AM ET Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will serve a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct, disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson ruled Monday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Watson will not be fined, the source told Schefter. Robinson’s comprehensive 15-page conclusion stated that though Watson

7:53 PM ET SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After a roller-coaster offseason that included a surprising trade request, a social media scrubbing and a half-dozen other receivers signing lucrative contracts, the final domino fell Sunday when wideout Deebo Samuel agreed to a three-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers. The deal is worth a maximum