Cowboys, Bryant reach five-year, $70 million deal

Bryant, who led the NFL in touchdowns receptions (16) last season, had threatened to sit out training camp, the preseason and regular-season games if he hadn’t been signed to a long-term contract by the deadline.

Tom Brady and the NFL Players Association plan to challenge the NFL in federal court if the New England Patriots quarterback receives a suspension of any length once commissioner Roger Goodell decides on Brady’s appeal, a person familiar with the situation said.

And so if the court grants an injunction and the case drags or is scheduled for late in the fall, it’s possible Brady could begin the season behind center regardless of Goodell’s decree or the outcome of the federal court case.

Receiver Demaryius Thomas has signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Denver Broncos just before the deadline for NFL players who had franchise tags to sign long-term deals.

Linebacker Justin Houston has agreed to a six-year, $101 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that will not only make him the highest-paid Chief ever but one of the highest-paid defensive players in football, a source told The Kansas City Star on Wednesday.