Arbitrator sends Kaepernick case forward for trial
PHILADELPHIA — An arbitrator is sending Colin Kaepernick's grievance with the NFL to trial, denying the league's request to throw out the quarterback's claims that owners conspired to keep him out of the league because of his protests of social injustice.
Kaepernick's lawyer Mark Geragos tweeted a picture Thursday of a ruling by arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank.
The former 49ers quarterback argues that owners have colluded to keep him off any NFL roster since he hit free agency in 2017.
Kaepernick began a wave of protests by NFL players two seasons ago, kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. The protests have grown into one of the most polarizing issues in sports, with President Donald Trump loudly urging the league to suspend or fire players who demonstrate during the anthem.
Kaepernick contends the owners violated their collective bargaining agreement with players by conspiring to keep him off of teams.
The case hinges on whether owners worked together rather than decided individually to not sign Kaepernick.
A similar grievance still is pending by unsigned safety Eric Reid, who played with Kaepernick in San Francisco and joined in the protests.
Gronkowski gets lucrative new deal
Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots has all the incentives to become the NFL's highest-paid tight end.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said the Patriots have added $4.3 million in incentives to Gronkowski's contract for the next two seasons. The deal includes $1 million in per-game bonuses and $3.3 million in incentives for catches, playing time and touchdowns.
Gronkowski, 29, has the potential to make $12.3 million this season and $13.3 million next year when his base salary jumps to $9 million.
If he hits all the incentives, Gronkowski would be the NFL's highest-paid tight end.
Gronkowski had 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games last season.
Dumervil retires after 12-year career
Pass rusher Elvis Dumervil retired from the NFL after 12 years.
Dumervil said he wants to spend more time with his family and real-estate business.
Dumervil entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick in Denver in 2006. He spent seven years with the Broncos, four more with Baltimore and finished his career last year with San Francisco. He finished his career with 105½ sacks, which ranks fourth in the NFL since he entered the league.
Dumervil made five Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2009 and 2014.
Osweiler sharp as he bids for backup role
Brock Osweiler made a strong final bid for Miami's backup quarterback job, leading three first-quarter touchdown drives in the Dolphins' 34-7 preseason victory over the Falcons at Atlan- ta.
Osweiler, who is competing with David Fales to be Ryan Tannehill's backup, completed each of his first six passes for 65 yards, including a 1-yard scoring pass to Buddy Howell, on Miami's opening drive. He added a 14-yard scoring pass to Francis Owusu on the final play of the third quarter.
Osweiler completed 16 of 25 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns for the Dolphins. Fales completed 13 of 20 passes for 94 yards and one interception.
In other games:
• Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for a touchdown while backup Robert Griffin III spent the entire game on the sideline as Baltimore defeated visiting Washington to complete its third consecutive unbeaten preseason. Jackson played the first half and led the Ravens (5-0) on three scoring drives. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draft pick is sure to make the team, but coach John Harbaugh has not yet revealed whether he will keep Griffin, who currently is No. 2 on the depth chart behind starter Joe Flacco. Griffin, a five-year veteran, went 27-for-41 during the preseason.
• Baker Mayfield threw for 138 yards in a dominant first half for Cleveland as the Browns wrapped up the preseason with a 35-17 victory at Detroit. Mayfield completed a 41-yard pass to Devon Cajuste on the first play from scrimmage.
• Christian Hackenberg had a rough audition for a roster spot, tossing two interceptions, but the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles rallied to beat the visiting New York Jets 10-9 and avoid a winless preseason.
• Matt Barkley's left knee was injured by a low hit after he threw a pass during Cincinnati's 27-26 loss to visiting Indianapolis, giving Jeff Driskel the inside track for the Bengals' backup quarterback role.
Odds and ends
Minnesota wide receiver Cayleb Jones was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and other counts after an argument and physical confrontation with his girlfriend. Authorities said the incident happened early Tuesday at an Eagan, Minn., hotel. Jones' girlfriend told police he pushed and shoved her, interrupted her 911 call and smacked her phone out of her hand. The complaint said officers noticed rug burns, a scratch on her neck and a broken fingernail. Jones also was charged with felony theft and a gross misdemeanor count of interfering with an emergency call. … Kansas City agreed to trade offensive lineman Parker Ehinger to Dallas for cornerback Charvarius Ward, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. … Cleveland linebacker Mychal Kendricks was released by the team after he was charged by federal prosecutors in Philadelphia with insider trading. Kendricks, 27, who signed a one-year contract with the Browns in June after winning a Super Bowl title last season with Philadelphia, allegedly used tips from an acquaintance to make about $1.2 million in illegal profits on four major trading deals, federal prosecutors said. The 27-year-old issued a statement admitting to his guilt and apologizing.