LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[August 15, 2017] August 14 (The Sports Xchange) - Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett refused to stand during the national anthem on Sunday -- a gesture he said was to raise awareness to racism and intolerance -- before the Seahawks' preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Bennett said the violence in Charlottesville, Va., was a catalyst for his actions after white nationalists, neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members holding a rally over the weekend clashed with counterprotesters in the streets and a car plowed into crowds, leaving a woman dead and more than 30 injured.

Bennett's position came a day after his former teammate, running back Marshawn Lynch, remained seated during the national anthem before the Oakland Raiders' preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday.

--

Less than a week after becoming the NFL's highest-paid running back, Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons was placed in the league's concussion protocol.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday that Freeman will not be available for Sunday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Freeman, who signed a five-year contract extension worth a reported $41.25 million last Wednesday, was forced to leave Sunday's practice. Quinn initially thought the running back was dealing with a heat-related issue.

--

Newly acquired Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jordan Matthews suffered a chip fracture in his sternum during his first practice, the team announced.

Matthews, who is considered week to week, suffered the injury Sunday, just two days after the Bills acquired him in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Friday, the Bills traded cornerback Ronald Darby to the Eagles for Matthews and a 2018 third-round pick.

--

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman is expected to miss at least a month because of an ankle injury suffered in the team's preseason opener.

Perryman was hurt in Sunday's 48-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and will be sidelined four to six weeks, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

The 24-year-old Perryman was carted to the locker room after he was injured in the first quarter. He returned to the sideline on crutches and wearing a walking boot on his left foot.

--

Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder will miss the 2017 season after sustaining a torn Achilles during Sunday's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

[to top of second column]

Lions coach Jim Caldwell labeled the injury "significant" after Sunday's game, and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport confirmed its severity the following day.

--

Denver Broncos defensive end Jared Crick was carted off the field at practice after suffering an apparent back injury.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph said Crick initially had back spasms but was undergoing further testing.

It was the second time in as many practices the Broncos had a defensive end carted off the field. Derek Wolfe exited Saturday's practice with a sprained ankle. Denver also lost defensive end Billy Winn to a torn ACL in Thursday's preseason game.

--

Chicago Bears left guard Kyle Long was ejected from practice after he was involved in multiple skirmishes.

"There's a certain standard we have and it's something we weren't very pleased with," Bears coach John Fox said, per ESPN. "I haven't had a chance to visit with him yet, but it's something that we'll handle it internally."

--

The Baltimore Ravens signed journeyman Thad Lewis and waived fellow quarterback Dustin Vaughan.

Lewis is the latest quarterback to be signed by Baltimore since the team said it was considering controversial free agent Colin Kaepernick.

--

The San Francisco 49ers bolstered both lines of scrimmage by signing Leger Douzable and Andrew Gardner to one-year contracts, the team announced.

Douzable, a veteran defensive lineman, is joining his sixth NFL team, excluding stints on the practice squads of the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants.

Gardner, 31, started the 2016 regular-season finale for San Francisco at left guard. He has appeared in 28 games, making 12 starts, with four teams since 2009.

--

The New York Giants signed wide receiver Andrew Turzilli and linebacker Chris Casher to the 90-man roster.

The newest additions take the place of wide receiver Kevin Norwood, who was waived with a hip injury, and tight end Colin Thompson, who was waived with a non-football injury (appendectomy).

Back to top