Talks between the NFL and NFL Players Association on a discipline settlement for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have progressed. However, it's uncertain whether the two sides will reach a deal, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.

The sides are seeking a compromise before any punishment is handed down by Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey attorney general who was appointed by Commissioner Roger Goodell to rule on the league's appeal of a six-game suspension already imposed on Watson by an independent disciplinary officer.

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Los Angeles Chargers fans on Wednesday finally got to see what they had been hoping for three weeks into training camp - a smiling Derwin James running out to the field in his powder blue practice jersey, helmets and shoulder pads.

James took part in his first practice after signing a four-year, $76.5 million contract extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid safety.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The early exits by New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jarvis Landry and offensive tackle James Hurst exemplified how the second day of joint practices with the Green Bay Packers got much more physical than the first.

Wednesday's scrimmage featured three scuffles, two between the Saints offense and Packers defense plus a third during special teams drills. The first skirmish came in the opening minutes and sent Landry to the locker room.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule has been adamant for weeks that he wouldn't rush to announce a winner in the ongoing quarterback competition between Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.

That hasn't changed, even with his team just days from taking the field for their second exhibition game, a point Rhule had previously indicated he wanted to have the situation settled.

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) Las Vegas tight end Darren Waller was one of several key players who returned to practice for the Raiders on Wednesday.

Waller had been out since late last month for undisclosed reasons. He told The Associated Press recently at a WNBA game for the Las Vegas Aces that he was working through some things, was progressing and that he expected to return to practice this week.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) A day after a pair of fights resulted in five players being kicked out of the first joint practice between the Panthers and Patriots, two more incidents - including one in which a female fan was struck after a scrum spilled into the spectator area - nearly brought an end to Wednesday's practice session.

"Number one, my thoughts are with the woman that was hurt over there. I'm hoping that she's OK," Panthers coach Matt Rhule said after practice. "I don't have any update on her, but I'm hoping she's OK."

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) This absence for Kirk Cousins was far more convenient for him and the Minnesota Vikings.

After catching COVID-19 and staying home for five days in line with the current guidelines, Cousins returned to practice Wednesday with the Vikings for their first of two joint sessions with the visiting San Francisco 49ers.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones, starting wide receiver Mecole Hardman and backup running back Jerick McKinnon left training camp early Wednesday as nagging injuries continued to mount for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jones left after about 10 minutes with a sore back while Hardman, who is being counted upon to help overcome the loss of Tyreek Hill, hurt his groin while going up for a catch in the end zone. McKinnon left with a hamstring injury.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Carl Nassib has a new number with one of his old teams, and the outside linebacker couldn't be happier playing with Shaq Barrett again even if their Tampa Bay reunion came Wednesday in a different city.

"Shaq was killing it today," Nassib said. "I mean he's an All-Pro guy, and I'm excited to keep learning from him and to get a chance to work with him again is pretty fun."

CINCINNATI (AP) Joe Burrow is trying to pack on the pounds, gaining back the weight he lost after having surgery to remove his ruptured appendix three weeks ago.

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback won't say how much he lost, but the pounds are coming back, along with the strength and mobility he had before the July 26 procedure.