BOSTON (AP) Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker found himself in need of an assist to help the state fight the coronavirus pandemic.

He called on the New England Patriots.

The team’s private plane landed in Boston from China on Thursday evening carrying more than a million masks critical to health care providers fighting to control the spread of the virus.. Members of the Massachusetts National Guard met the plane and offloaded the containers of masks onto waiting trucks for transport to warehouses for distribution.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Titans running back Derrick Henry has signed a franchise tender that puts him under contract for the 2020 season as Tennessee works toward reaching a long-term deal with the 2019 NFL rushing leader.

Team officials announced Thursday that Henry had signed the tender.

The Dallas Cowboys are taking a chance on another suspended defensive end, signing Aldon Smith to a contract while his playing status in the NFL is uncertain.

A person with direct knowledge of the deal said Smith signed Wednesday with Dallas. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced. Smith posted a picture of himself signing a document on Instagram and wrote, "Life is good. I'm thankful. I'm blessed. I'm a Cowboy."

LOS ANGELES (AP) If NFL teams are unable to hold offseason workouts amid the coronavirus pandemic, Andrew Whitworth and Austin Blythe believe continuity will be a valuable commodity this fall.

That's an area where the Los Angeles Rams' offensive line should be much stronger this season.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Saints coach Sean Payton said he didn't mean to insinuate on a television appearance that record-setting quarterback Drew Brees informed him of plans to retire after the upcoming season.

“I'm a big dummy,” Payton said Wednesday during a conference call with media in New Orleans. “I honestly don't know if it’s his last year. I think the thing he's done, and we've all done, is taking it year by year.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Andy Reid is like most people these days. The Kansas City Chiefs coach is hunkered down in his basement, trying to avoid going out in public as he works from a makeshift office consisting of a computer, an iPad and an old side table.

The difference, though: He's trying to build a team that can defend a Super Bowl title.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) The Seattle Seahawks are reuniting with another former pass rusher after agreeing to terms on a deal with defensive end Benson Mayowa.

Mayowa's agent David Canter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans don't want Derrick Henry going anywhere anytime soon, and the NFL rushing leader sounds as if he's eager to stick around, too.

General manager Jon Robinson said Wednesday on a conference call with reporters that Henry is an important part of the Titans, and he spoke with the running back before free agency opened. Robinson's also spoke to Henry's agents after the