SOMERSET, N.J. (AP) The National Football League and its players' union on Saturday angrily denounced President Donald Trump for suggesting that owners fire players who kneel during the national anthem and that fans consider walking out in protest "when somebody disrespects our flag."

"Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players," the league commissioner, Roger Goodell, said in a statement.

DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, tweeted: "We will never back down. We no longer can afford to stick to sports."

Read More...

DETROIT (AP) Jim Caldwell was coy, just days ago, when asked about whether he had signed a contract extension with the Detroit Lions.

Turns out, he had.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett will undergo season-ending knee surgery for the second consecutive year.

Verrett will end the season on injured reserve for the third time in his four-year career. Verrett was limited to six games as a rookie because of a shoulder injury, and he played in four games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn ACL.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings face another quarterback quandary, with Sam Bradford sidelined against Tampa Bay because of an ailing left knee and Case Keenum set for his second straight start.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer eliminated the mystery before the weekend this time. He ruled out Bradford, who was not at practice Friday because of his injury from the season opener against New Orleans.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) A federal appeals court has set oral arguments for Oct. 2 in the NFL's bid to reinstate Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension over a domestic case in Ohio, meaning the star Dallas Cowboys running back will play at least two more games.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans posted the notice Friday, clearing the way for last year's NFL rushing leader to play Monday night at Arizona and at home Oct. 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray returned to practice, but his status for Sunday's game against Seattle remains undecided because of a hamstring injury.

Murray was listed as questionable after being limited on Friday. He had missed two straight practices with the injury.

CLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett might be close to making his NFL debut.

The top overall pick in this year's draft has missed Cleveland's first two games because of a high right-ankle sprain sustained earlier this month, but coach Hue Jackson has not yet ruled him out of this week's game at Indianapolis.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham is expected to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans despite being listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.

Graham was a full participant in practice Friday and head coach Pete Carroll said he's ready to play.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Cornerback Josh Norman, tight end Jordan Reed and running back Rob Kelley are among five Washington Redskins players who will be game-time decisions Sunday night against the Oakland Raiders.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden says Friday that Norman, Reed, Kelley, linebacker Mason Foster and safety Montae Nicholson are all questionable for the game.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers could be without seven front-line players for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring), safety Kentrell Brice (groin), receiver Randall Cobb (chest), defensive tackle Mike Daniels (hip), cornerback Davon House (quad), outside linebacker Nick Perry (hand) and inside linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring/concussion) were listed as doubtful, meaning they are unlikely to play. The first six players on that list are starters.