NFL saying goodbye to Pro Bowl
NFL notebook
Trending
ATLANTA -- The Pro Bowl is no more, the NFL announced Wednesday, ending an exhibition of the league's top players that was held in some form almost every year since 1951.
The game wasn't played in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was the only pause in the postseason event.
The league said 88 players will still be named as Pro Bowlers and honored in Los Angeles after this season. Several flag football events also will take place at that time.
Troy Vincent, the league's executive vice president of football operations, said he heard from players that they "don't want competitive play" after the playoffs.
The Pro Bowl has waned in popularity in recent years. Once a staple in Honolulu, the NFL has moved the event to various cities and even switched from tackle to flag football in 2023.
Suspension changes
NFL players will face a one-game suspension if they accumulate three penalties in certain designated categories which will start with this season.
The NFL and the NFLPA said in a statement that they have agreed to place a greater emphasis on five health and safety rules violations: the hip drop tackle; horse collar tackle; launching; hit on a defenseless player; and blindside block.
The violations in those categories will carry forward into subsequent seasons but the league and union said all players will start the upcoming season with a clean slate.
Austin out
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin has a torn ACL in his right knee and is expected to miss the season, according to a person with knowledge of the injury.
Austin went down without contact during a 1-on-1 drill at training camp on Tuesday and was carted off the field. Coach John Harbaugh said he felt for the 27-year-old. Austin was having a strong camp and preseason and looked to be carving out a substantial role for himself in the Giants' offense.
Browns fans angry
CLEVELAND -- Someone taped signs on Hall of Famer Jim Brown's statue outside the Cleveland Browns ' stadium criticizing the team for having quarterback Deshaun Watson on its roster because of his checkered past.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks at a press conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Coach Todd Monken announced Monday that Watson, who was booed at home in Saturday's 31-7 loss to Buffalo in a preseason game, will enter the season as the starting quarterback. Watson, making his first appearance in 22 months because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, lashed out at the fans afterward and called the booing "personal."
Watson's presence in Cleveland has been controversial since he signed a guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in 2022.
He was suspended the first 11 games of that season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. More than two dozen women accused Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.
Watson also was fined $5 million and force to undergo an evaluation before he could be reinstated.
One of the signs posted on Brown's statue read:
"$280,000,000
27+ VICTIMS
ZERO SUPPORTERS"
Another sign called Watson's presence on the team "PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE CITY & FRANCHISE."