FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots said Thursday that former nose tackle Lester Williams, who started in the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance following the 1985 season, died at age 58.

The team said Williams died at home Wednesday in Birmingham, Alabama. It didn’t give other details.

Williams, the 27th overall pick in the 1982 draft, played in 40 games for the Patriots from 1982-85. He also played one season for San Diego (1986) and Seattle (1987). For the Patriots, he had 39 solo tackles, 60 assists, five sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Williams started all nine games during his NFL strike-shortened rookie year.

RAIDERS: Los Angeles prosecutors said cornerback Sean Smith was charged with beating his sister’s boyfriend last month, and will face assault and battery charges.

They say Smith, 30, beat the victim and then stomped on the man’s head July 4 in Pasadena, California.

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JETS: Linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin tweaked his back and sat out practice, leaving him uncertain for the preseason game Saturday night at Detroit.

Mauldin dealt with a back issue earlier during training camp but returned to the field Wednesday. Coach Todd Bowles said Mauldin was inside receiving treatment during practice.

BROWNS: Coach Hue Jackson said comments he made earlier in the week about players protesting during the national anthem were misconstrued.

Jackson was criticized – most notably by Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe – for appearing to discourage his players for displaying any form of protest prior to games. Jackson wanted the focus to remain on football, saying, “I would hope we don’t have those issues.”

SEAHAWKS: Center Justin Britt signed a multiyear contract extension that will keep the anchor of the offensive line in place beyond the 2017 season.

It’s believed to be a three-year deal and takes away any concern that Britt would leave after this season when his rookie contract expires.

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49ERS: Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster has a mild AC joint sprain in his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Foster was held out of contact during practice with the Denver Broncos because of the injury. The team said the injury isn’t related to the torn rotator cuff that Foster had an operation on before the draft.

COLTS: Center Ryan Kelly will have surgery on his injured foot and be out indefinitely.

Kelly was injured during a joint practice with Detroit last week and didn’t play in Sunday’s preseason opener.

THURSDAY’S EXHIBITIONS

EAGLES 20, BILLS 16: Of all the high-profile players making debuts in a new uniform, Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby was most impressive.

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Darby intercepted former teammate Tyrod Taylor’s pass and returned it 48 yards and also broke up two passes in his first game since Philadelphia acquired him from Buffalo last week, and the Eagles won at home.

Alshon Jeffery, a former Pro Bowl wide receiver signed by the Eagles in the offseason, caught his first pass from Carson Wentz and finished with two receptions for 23 yards.

Bills cornerback E.J. Gaines also had an interception in his first game since coming from the Rams in a trade last week. Gaines picked third-string quarterback Matt McGloin, who has struggled in two preseason games.

Wideout Anquan Boldin, a three-time Pro Bowl pick recently signed by the Bills, caught one pass for 5 yards.

The Eagles traded wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round pick for Darby. Matthews, a popular player in Philadelphia’s locker room, didn’t make the trip because of a chest injury.

RAVENS 31, DOLPHINS 7: Jay Cutler ran onto the field with the Dolphins for the first time, and the home fans greeted their new quarterback with a loud ovation.

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They didn’t have much else to cheer about over the next three hours.

Ryan Mallett threw for 113 yards and a touchdown, Josh Woodrum ran for two more scores and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Dolphins in the second preseason game for both teams.

Cutler played the first two series for the Dolphins, his debut as injured starter Ryan Tannehill’s replacement in Miami. He was 3 of 6 for 24 yards, some of it in a no-huddle tempo, and his highlight play was one that didn’t count. Facing a third-and-16, Cutler stepped up and found DeVante Parker for what would have been a 31-yard gain — one erased by a holding flag.

“He was good. We kind of got the tempo going and got comfortable,” Dolphins Coach Adam Gase said. “He had a couple really nice moves in the pocket, pushing up and making a couple guys miss. We had penalties on the play, so it was negated, but he felt good.”

Ravens starting quarterback Joe Flacco isn’t expected to play until Week 1 of the regular season because of back woes, and Mallett played the entire first half.

Mallett completed 13 of 22 passes, getting intercepted twice — both on passes intended for Quincy Adeboyejo.

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BUCS 12, JAGUARS 8:  Jameis Winston continued his solid preseason, completing 21 of 29 passes for 196 yards and helping Tampa Bay beat host Jacksonville.

Winston had two passes dropped, including what would have been a 43-yard touchdown strike to Mike Evans in the first quarter.

The Buccaneers (1-1) scored on their first three possessions, getting a short touchdown run from Doug Martin and two field goals from Nick Folk. Tampa Bay dominated Jacksonville in two quarters that featured mostly starters, outgaining the Jags 240-59 and looking like the much better team.

Evans finished with five catches for 57 yards, but missed a chance for a huge gain when he let Winston’s perfectly thrown deep ball slip through his fingers. It was about the only thing that went right for the Jaguars (1-1).


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