LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[October 12, 2016] Oct 11 (The Sports Xchange) - Colin Kaepernick is back as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers.

Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Bills will mark Kaepernick's first start under first-year coach Chip Kelly.

Kaepernick has been second-string behind struggling Blaine Gabbert for the first five games of this season. But with the 49ers sputtering with a 1-4 record, Kelly is hoping Kaepernick can spark the offense.

Kaepernick has received more attention for his national anthem protests than with his play this season. Kaepernick is kneeling for the anthem to bring attention to social injustices and police brutality.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer has been cleared to exit the NFL's concussion protocol and is expected to play in Monday's contest against the New York Jets.

The Cardinals announced that both Palmer and linebacker Kevin Minter had cleared the protocol. Both players are expected to practice on Wednesday.

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The Cardinals added depth to their backfield by re-signing running back Kerwynn Williams. Arizona's backfield has been in flux after backup Chris Johnson was placed on injured reserve with an ailing groin.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian may return for Thursday's game against San Diego Chargers.

With Siemian sidelined with a left shoulder injury suffered the previous week, the Broncos suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

However, Siemian was on the practice field Monday, and sounded confident on Tuesday that he will be back to play against the Falcons.

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Dez Bryant will be evaluated later in the week but the Dallas Cowboys are skeptical about his return for Week 6 at Green Bay.

The team's top receiver missed the last two games with a hairline fracture below his right knee. Owner Jerry Jones said last week Bryant shouldn't be ruled out, only to have the Cowboys do just that.

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His appeal of a 10-game suspension denied, Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson begins serving his ban immediately, the NFL ruled.

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That leaves the Eagles without their best offensive lineman until Monday, Dec. 19.

Johnson said he failed a test for performance-enhancing drugs after taking a supplement with peptides. Johnson said peptides were not listed among active ingredients.

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Cornerback Sheldon Price was placed on injured reserve by the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens signed guard Vladimir Ducasse, who spent time with Baltimore in training camp, to fill Price's spot on the 53-man roster as injury concerns add up on the offensive line.

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Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy appears to be leaving the football field in his rear-view mirror for a chance to step into the octagon.

Hardy has been training at a Dallas-area gymnasium for months and promoters have garnered interest, MMAFighting.com reported. He is expected to make his debut in 2017 as a heavyweight, according to his representatives.

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Running back Justin Forsett signed with the Detroit Lions, who are 23rd in the NFL in rushing after five weeks.

Forsett was released by the Ravens after falling to fourth on the depth chart behind starter Terrance West, Buck Allen and Kenneth Dixon.

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The Cleveland Browns terminated the contract of quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and signed Kevin Hogan to the active roster.

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Although Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton did not play Sunday, he was seen riding a Segway-like scooter without a helmet in downtown Charlotte on Monday. The reigning NFL MVP remains in the league's concussion protocol.

"I'm not going to worry about that," coach Ron Rivera said. "The bottom line is he's an adult. We'll go from there." (Editing by Frank Pingue)

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