National Football League roundup

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[August 09, 2017]  August 8 (The Sports Xchange) - San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Donavin Newsom was carted off the field by ambulance and taken to a hospital after colliding with a teammate in Tuesday's practice at Santa Clara, Calif.

Newsom was hurt when he ran into safety Chanceller James as the two players were attempting to defend a pass over the middle. He lay motionless while his teammates took a knee and formed a circle around him.

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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will not play in Carolina's preseason opener Wednesday against the Houston Texans.

Soreness in his right shoulder limited Newton in training camp practices and the Panthers are taking the risk-averse route in August, coach Ron Rivera said.

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Former Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Flowers announced his retirement.

The 31-year-old Flowers played nine NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. He was released by the Chargers in March.

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The Green Bay Packers parted ways with troubled defensive tackle Letroy Guion by announcing the release of the 322-pound run stuffer.

Guion was arrested on drunk-driving charges in June and also received a four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis will be away from the team to deal with an unspecified "minor health issue," the team announced.

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The team said in a statement that Lewis' absence is expected to be brief, with a possible return on Tuesday night or later in the week.

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Retired NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason said Monday on his WFAN radio show "Boomer & Carton" with Craig Carton that he believe he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, during his storied career.

Esiason, 56, also said he believes all NFL players probably have CTE, which is associated with concussions.

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Film director Spike Lee is using social media to invite fans and supporters to gather in support of unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick this month.

A social media post from Lee called for a "Rally for Colin" and "United We Stand" rally and will start at 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 23 at 345 Park Avenue in New York City. The address is noteworthy as the headquarters of the NFL administrative offices.

Kaepernick remains unsigned one month before the start of the 2017 regular season. Lee and others have suggested Kaepernick, who was 2-10 as a starter with the 49ers last season, is not employed by a team because of his public position on social injustices.

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