NFL roundup

STEELERS

Tomlin’s contract extended through 2020

PITTSBURGH

Mike Tomlin’s strong first decade with the Pittsburgh Steelers has earned the coach the chance to work well into a second decade with the organization.

Tomlin and the team have agreed to an extension that will keep the 45-year-old in Pittsburgh through the 2020 season.

Tomlin is 103-57 in 10 years with the Steelers, who have captured one Super Bowl, been to another and earned five AFC North titles during his tenure. He is one of eight coaches to win 100 games in their first 10 seasons.

Steelers President Art Rooney said Tomlin “continues to prove he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League.” Pittsburgh went 11-5 in 2016 before falling to New England in the AFC championship game.

Tomlin called his 10 seasons an “amazing experience,” adding his focus is on helping the franchise win a seventh Super Bowl.

titans

Friday night lights heralds camp break

FRANKLIN, Tenn.

The Tennessee Titans found a way to break up the monotony of the opening week of training camp: Their first Friday night lights excursion.

The Titans loaded onto buses for the short drive south of Nashville to this historic town for their first night practice of camp. Coach Mike Mularkey, who has his own good memories of playing high school games on Friday night, called it a fun night.

“I’ve always enjoyed this,” Mularkey said. “I’ve done this before other places I’ve been. It’s a great environment. It’s fun for everybody. I know the players’ energy level was great coming down here. They didn’t fail to perform.”

The Titans chose Centennial High for its location right off Interstate 65 along with plenty of parking and bleachers on each side of the field. The team’s grounds crew worked with the high school this summer to make sure the field was ready for the NFL team. The team also brought along inflatables with food trucks on hand.

So when the Titans got off the buses, they found a crowd of 6,822 waiting for a practice on a perfect summer night with temperatures in the mid-70s. They signed autographs before taking the field and then lined the edge of the field for the national anthem to kick the night off in style.

“That’s a great turnout,” Mularkey said. “Yeah I think it is. For a Friday night? There’s lots to do in Nashville and to have them come out here and support us I think that’s a great number.”

dolphins

Surgery is option for Tannehill

davie, fla.

Ryan Tannehill sat in the team cafeteria Friday, his left leg in a brace and propped on a chair as he watched practice from afar with a sullen stare.

He has again been demoted to the role of spectator, perhaps for the entire season.

Knee surgery is an option for the Miami Dolphins quarterback, although it’s possible an operation can be avoided, coach Adam Gase said. But even then Tannehill is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks.

Tannehill, who missed the final four games of last season with two sprained ligaments in his knee, reinjured it in practice Thursday. An MRI was inconclusive, and the Dolphins are consulting with a multitude of specialists.

“I wouldn’t say second and third opinions — we’re probably going deeper than that, talking to a lot of people, making sure we get the right information,” Gase said. “Everything is on the table right now.”

There’s no timetable for a decision, he said.

bills

Starting left tackle to practice next week

orchard Park, N.Y.

Cordy Glenn’s sore left foot checked out fine and the Buffalo Bills starting left tackle is expected to resume practicing next week, a person with direct knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity on Friday because the Bills have not disclosed that information after Glenn missed his second straight day of practice. Without disclosing the nature of the injury, coach Sean McDermott referred to Glenn’s injury as “general foot soreness,” and said it was too early to determine whether surgery would be required.

McDermott also revealed Glenn traveled to have his injury evaluated by foot specialist Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday.

McDermott had expressed concern on Thursday over an injury that has nagged the Bills’ top-paid offensive lineman all offseason.

“It is concerning, because it’s gone on so long,” he said.

Glenn did not speak to reporters after practice.

It’s unclear how the injury developed. Glenn was held out of the team’s spring practices before being cleared for the start of training camp. He practiced on a limited basis during the team’s first six sessions before being held out on Thursday.

Associated Press