McCoy calls Kaepernick a distraction
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy isn’t surprised Colin Kaepernick has had difficulty finding a job. And he thinks it has little to do with the quarterback’s decision to not stand for the anthem last season.
Some teams, McCoy said following practice Thursday, might consider it not being worth the “chaos” to take on a polarizing player such as Kaepernick to fill what’s likely to be a backup role.
“You’ve just got to look at all sides like, if I’m an owner or the GM of a team, do I want to put him on my team?” McCoy said. “Is he good enough to be on the squad to even deal with everything that’s going on?”
Kaepernick remains unsigned after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers after last season. Critics have accused the NFL of punishing the sixth-year player for refusing to stand for the national anthem to protest police brutality against blacks.
“That may have something to do with it, but I think also it has a lot to do with his play,” McCoy said. “There’s certain players that could be on the team with big distractions, and there’s other players that it’s not good enough or not worth it.”
McCoy shared his views after being asked about his position regarding players protesting the anthems. He supports freedom of speech while adding he believes players can “choose a better platform to state their beliefs.”
Strong suspended: Houston Texans receiver Jaelen Strong was suspended without pay for the team’s season opener for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The punishment comes after Strong was arrested for possession of marijuana in Arizona in February 2016.
Strong was a thirdround pick of the Texans in 2015 and appeared in 10 games as a rookie before missing eight games last season with an ankle injury.
Eagles 38, Dolphins 31: Carson Wentz tossed two touchdown passes as host Philadelphia beat Miami.
Playing his second game since coming out of retirement, Jay Cutler was 5 of 8 for 105 yards and one touchdown. His surgically repaired right shoulder looked fine on a 72-yard pass to DeVante Parker.