Goodell says league won’t change policy
Owners do not discuss ‘must stand’ language
In the face of fan unrest and accusations from President Donald Trump about the league being unpatriotic, the NFL is not changing its national anthem policy to require players to stand.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and several owners said at the league’s fall meetings at ended Wednesday that altering the policy language from “should stand” to “must stand” was not discussed.
New York Giants owner John Mara noted that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “spoke at length” about the anthem issue. Jones has said any Dallas player who doesn’t stand for “The StarSpangled Banner” would not be playing.
Goodell reiterated that the league and its 32 clubs “believe everyone should stand for the national anthem. It’s an important part of our policy and the game. It’s important to honor our flag and our country and I think our fans expect that.”
Asked about any owners who threatened discipline for players who didn’t stand, Goodell said the owners didn’t discuss it.
Packers
Brett Hundley is getting more reps at practice and answering a lot more questions from reporters. Life has changed for Hundley since starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with a right collarbone injury. Hundley is preparing to make his first NFL start on Sunday against New Orleans. “I’ve been doing this my whole life. Aaron’s a Hall of Famer,and I want to be a Hall of Famer one day,” Hundley said. “I will lead this team, we’re all going to have fun, we’re all going to go out there and play football ... and our goals are still in front of us.”
Ravens
Baltimore might not have Breshad Perriman for Sunday’s road game against Minnesota because of a concussion, and they are unhappy about how the starting receiver was injured. Coach John Harbaugh said that the team has turned film in to the NFL of Chicago rookie safety Eddie Jackson striking Perriman in the head after he bobbled a pass from quarterback Joe Flacco. “We did turn it in,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not really allowed to comment on it, but I’d just say that I think we were correct. You want your players protected. He’s in concussion protocol. You saw it.”
Colts
Andrew Luck has stopped throwing passes for now, and it’s not yet clear when he’ll resume. General manager Chris Ballard said the team has instructed the star quarterback to take a break from throwing after developing soreness in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. “The doctors and the trainers have decided — they’ve given him a cortisone shot to kind of take away some of that inflammation that’s been happening,” Ballard said.
49ers
After opening the season with six losses, San Francisco has turned over the reins of the offense to rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard. Beathard’s performance over these next 10 weeks could play a big part in determining whether the rebuilding 49ers view Beathard as a foundation piece for the future. “I’m not looking that far ahead,” said Beathard, who started 28 games in college at Iowa. “Right now my focus is on today’s practice and geared towardbeating the Cowboys.”
Buccaneers
Tampa Bay isn’t saying much about injured quarterback Jameis Winston’s status for Sunday’s game against Buffalo. The thirdyear pro did not throw in practice because of a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick worked with the first-team offense in preparation for the Bills (32).