Born to run: New commitment to ground game paying off in big way, even with RBs injured

IRVING, Texas — Imagine how many yards the Dallas Cowboys would be running for if they could keep their running backs healthy.

LT back at practice for first time since spraining right ankle in season opener

SAN DIEGO — LaDainian Tomlinson was back at practice Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right ankle in the season opener, an encouraging sign for a San Diego Chargers team that has struggled to run the ball.

Cowboys LT Flozell Adams fined for the third time in 3 games

IRVING, Texas — Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams was fined by the NFL for the third straight week, the latest for kicking at Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers.

The terrible temptations of Twitter can take their toll

Perhaps the best thing about Twitter is that it forces people to get to the point, in 140 characters or less.

Agency: Nike re-signs Michael Vick more than 2 years after severing ties over dogfighting

NEW YORK — Michael Vick is back with Nike more than two years after the company severed ties over the quarterback’s involvement in a dogfighting ring.

Kyle Orton brushes aside negative conniptions, embraces notion he’s a ‘game manager’

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — His coach, offensive coordinator and even some teammates shy away from the term “game manager” when talking about Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton, figuring it has a negative tenor.

Steelers’ Tomlin mum about Big Ben’s WWE appearance

PITTSBURGH — If Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is touching a raw nerve with coach Mike Tomlin by appearing at a wrestling show less than 24 hours after Sunday’s game against San Diego, the coach isn’t saying.

San Francisco could be relying on Davis’ playmaking even more with Gore hurt

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Vernon Davis declared from Day 1 this season that he could be a key playmaker.

Jets DBs Revis, Rhodes limited in practice, while Leonhard, Sheppard and Strickland sit

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Kerry Rhodes were limited in practice Wednesday with injuries that aren’t expected to sideline them against the New Orleans Saints.

‘It’s Chad Henne’s turn’ _ Dolphins’ 2nd-year QB takes reins from injured Pennington

DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins’ new starting quarterback held the ball to his ear, spotted his target 25 yards downfield and threw a tight spiral on a line that hit Ted Ginn Jr. in full stride over the middle.

Giants backup halfback Ahmad Bradshaw has sprained foot and ankle

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The banged-up New York Giants have another injury to worry about.

Miami QB Chad Pennington to undergo shoulder surgery, waits regarding decision on future

DAVIE, Fla. — Chad Pennington says he’ll undergo surgery soon to repair his season-ending shoulder injury, and he’ll start rehabilitation before deciding whether to retire or continue his NFL career.

Mason doesn’t grab headlines, only footballs, as star receiver for unbeaten Ravens

BALTIMORE — Derrick Mason never choreographed an end zone celebration or yelled at his quarterback for not throwing his way. He doesn’t mind running into the middle of the field to make a catch, even if it means taking a vicious hit from an overzealous defensive back.

With so many teams in rush to score, time of possession doesn’t mean much anymore

NEW YORK — Who’s got time to worry about time of possession? Not Pete Carroll, Mike Leach, Rich Rodriguez and many other college football coaches.

Survey of NFL retirees indicates high rates of memory problems; work called preliminary

NEW YORK — Retired professional football players may have a higher rate than normal of Alzheimer’s disease or other memory problems, suggests a preliminary study that provides more fuel for concerns about long-term risk of concussions.

Jake Delhomme not in danger of losing job as Panthers starting QB despite 7 interceptions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Though Jake Delhomme has just two touchdown passes and seven interceptions, he’ll remain winless Carolina’s starting quarterback.

Another season of I-League begins with Churchill facing Mahindra

NEW DELHI - The expanded I-League with fourteen teams and a record 182 matches to be played across 26 rounds will kick-off Thursday with defending champions Churchill Brothers taking on Mahindra United at the Cooperage in Mumbai.

NFL suspends Rams LB David Vobora for violating policy on performance enhancing substances

ST. LOUIS — The NFL has suspended St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora without pay for the next four games for violating its policy on performance enhancing substances.

Cowboys finally get first takeaway and sack, lead Panthers 10-7 after 3rd quarter

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas finally got its first takeaway and first sack of the season, Felix Jones had several explosive plays in his first career start and the Cowboys led the Carolina Panthers 10-7 after three quarters on Monday night.

Mixed bag for Kansas State special teams; Banks stars as returner while kicker struggles

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Special teams at Kansas State are ranging from record-breaking to ruinous, from game-changing to gruesome.

Pennington may seek second opinion to determine extent of shoulder injury

DAVIE, Fla. — Chad Pennington may not be available to give his winless team a much-needed lift.

Cowboys-Panthers scoreless after first quarter; Felix Jones boosting Dallas in first start

ARLINGTON, Texas — Felix Jones kept picking up yards in his first career start for the Dallas Cowboys, who still were unable to get any points and were in a scoreless tie with Carolina after the first quarter Monday night.

Panthers lead Cowboys 7-0 at halftime even after Dallas finally gets first takeaway of season

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike Jenkins had an interception for the Cowboys’ first takeaway of the season and Felix Jones had some explosive plays in the first start of his career, yet Dallas trailed the Carolina Panthers 7-0 at halftime Monday night.

NFLPA and league to meet Tuesday, union hoping for proposal from NFL

The NFL and the players union will hold a negotiating session Tuesday, with NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith hopeful of getting a formal proposal from the owners.

Person familiar with condition says Dolphins QB Chad Pennington dislocated shoulder

DAVIE, Fla. — A person familiar with Chad Pennington’s condition says the Miami Dolphins quarterback dislocated his shoulder.

Hold that thought: Cooler coach Mora U-turns on Mare, says he will remain Seahawks’ kicker

RENTON, Wash. — Jim Mora admits he’s still learning in his second go-round as an NFL coach.

Dolphins acquire QB Tyler Thigpen from Chiefs 2 days after Pennington is injured

MIAMI — Quarterback Tyler Thigpen has been traded by the Kansas City Chiefs to Miami, an indication the Dolphins expect to be without Chad Pennington the rest of the season.

Colts awaiting MRI results for diagnosis on DE Freeney’s injured quad

INDIANAPOLIS — Dwight Freeney spent the first three quarters Sunday night in the Arizona Cardinals backfield.

Manning directs four TD drives to give Colts 28-10 third-quarter lead over Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Peyton Manning carved up the Arizona defense for four touchdown passes, three in the second quarter, and the Indianapolis Colts held a 28-10 lead over the Cardinals after three quarters on Sunday night.

Johnson dominates again in Dover sweep, wins 2nd Chase race at Dover International Speedway

DOVER, Del. — Jimmie Johnson dominated again in winning a crucial Chase race.

Manning directs 4 TD drives to give Colts 28-10 third-quarter lead over Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Peyton Manning carved up the Arizona defense for four touchdown passes, three in the second quarter, and the Indianapolis Colts held a 28-10 lead over the Cardinals after three quarters on Sunday night.

Dominant second-half performance by Cowboys’ D shows they can stop run, pass in the same game

IRVING, Texas — They were solid against the pass, weak against the run in the opener. Then the roles were reversed in the second game.

Jones-Drew’s 3 TDs give Jaguars first win, 31-24 over Houston Texans

HOUSTON — Maurice Jones-Drew finally got going and led the Jacksonville Jaguars to their first win.

Manning throws four TD passes, Colts roll past Cardinals 31-10

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner have thrown for miles and miles in their NFL careers, yet their paths crossed for only the second time on Sunday night.

Cowboys finally get first takeaway and sack, lead Panthers 10-7 after 3 quarters

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas finally got its first takeaway and first sack of the season, Felix Jones had several explosive plays in his first career start and the Cowboys led the Carolina Panthers 10-7 after three quarters on Monday night.