EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Saving the New York Giants' perfect preseason wasn't enough to keep second-year quarterback Kyle Lauletta on the roster.

The New England Patriots released backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas among their moves Saturday to reach the NFL-mandated 53-player limit. Hoyer's release gives the job of backing up 20-year veteran Tom Brady to rookie Jarrett Stidham, the fourth-round draft pick out of Auburn, who played in all four preseason games. Stidham completed 61 of 90 passes in the preseason for 731 yards, with four touchdown passes and one interception.

Hal Naragon, who caught three Hall of Fame pitchers on Cleveland's 1954 World Series team, has died. The Indians said Naragon died Saturday in Barberton, Ohio, where the high school's baseball field is named in his honor. Naragon made his debut with Cleveland in 1951 and played in three games that season before serving two years in the Marine Corps.

Serena Williams moved another step closer to a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Czech Karolina Muchova on Friday to reach the last 16 at the U.S. Open. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Muchova held serve for an early 3-2 lead in her first career meeting with Williams but the six-times champion cranked up the pace and won the next seven games to take over the match. Madison Keys overcame a health scare in the second set to reach the last 16 at the U.S. Open for a fifth consecutive year with a 6-3 7-5 win over fellow American Sofia Kenin on Friday.

Serena Williams moved another step closer to a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Czech Karolina Muchova on Friday to reach the last 16 at the U.S. Open. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Muchova held serve for an early 3-2 lead in her first career meeting with Williams but the six-times champion cranked up the pace and won the next seven games to take over the match. Madison Keys overcame a health scare in the second set to reach the last 16 at the U.S. Open for a fifth consecutive year with a 6-3 7-5 win over fellow American Sofia Kenin on Friday.

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is expected to be fine after initially injuring his hand during the team's final preseason game, per a published report Friday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Edelman is expected to be no worse for wear after landing awkwardly on his left hand following a 20-yard reception early in Thursday's preseason 31-29 loss versus the New York Giants. Edelman was seen consulting with trainers while sitting out the remainder of the game.

Serena Williams moved another step closer to a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Czech Karolina Muchova on Friday to reach the last 16 at the U.S. Open. Wimbledon quarter-finalist Muchova held serve for an early 3-2 lead in her first career meeting with Williams but the six-times champion cranked up the pace and won the next seven games to take over the match. New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is expected to be fine after initially injuring his hand during the team's final preseason game, per a published report Friday.

It's tough to say what a perfect preseason means for the New York Giants in their second season of a rebuild under coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman. Perfection in meaningless games doesn't always carry over to the regular season. The previous time New York was undefeated in the preseason was 2014.

Daniel Jones exceeded all expectations this summer and was more impressive than anyone could have expected a rookie quarterback to be. Or to put it another way: Eli Manning may be the Giants' starter, but how short is his leash? The word from inside the Giants' organization -- and straight from the mouths of Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur -- has never really wavered on this since the day they shocked so many by taking Jones with the sixth overall pick.

How The Associated Press NFL team writers ranked their clubs heading into the 2019 season: OFFENSE DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS COACHING TOTAL NEW ENGLAND 5 4 4 5 18 LA RAMS 5 4 4 5 18 NEW ORLEANS 5 3 4 5 17 LA CHARGERS 4 4 4 5 17 CHICAGO 3 5 3 5 16 KANSAS CITY 5 3 4 4 16 BALTIMORE 3 4 5 4 16 PHILADELPHIA 5 3 3 4 15 TENNESSEE 3 5 3 4 15 INDIANAPOLIS 3 3 4 4 14 GREEN BAY 3 4 4 3 14 CLEVELAND 5 4 2 3 14 DALLAS (with Elliott) 4 4 2 3 13 NEW YORK GIANTS 3 2 5 3 13 MINNESOTA 3 5 1 4 13 ATLANTA 4 3 2 4 13 CAROLINA (with Newton) 3 4 3 3 13 SEATTLE 3 3 4 3 13 HOUSTON 3 4 3 2 12 DENVER 3 5 1 3 12 NEW YORK JETS 3 3 2 3 11 BUFFALO 2 4 2 3 11 WASHINGTON 2 4 2 3 11 PITTSBURGH 4 3 1 3 11 JACKSONVILLE 2 3 4 2 11 ...