Bennett sits out anthem; Seattle wins

While his teammates stood and locked arms on the sideline as the national anthem played before Sunday’s preseason game against the Chargers in Carson (Los Angeles County), Seattle defensive lineman Michael Bennett sat alone on the bench.

Bennett’s act came one day after his former teammate, Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch, sat on a cooler during the national anthem at Arizona.

Like Lynch, who didn’t speak publicly about his move after Saturday’s game, Bennett has been a vocal supporter of former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who faced criticism for kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial injustice and police brutality.

Bennett, who is co-authoring a book titled “How to Make White People Uncomfortable,” campaigned for the Seahawks to sign Kaepernick to back up Russell Wilson this offseason. Seattle signed Austin Davis instead.

In the Chargers’ first preseason game since relocation, Philip Rivers threw a touchdown pass to Antonio Gates on the opening drive, but the Seahawks’ backups dominated the rest of the preseason opener in Seattle’s 48-17 victory.

Rivers and his first-team offense were excellent, marching 75 yards in 13 plays to begin the Chargers’ three-year residency at the 27,000-seat Stub Hub Center. Lions 24, Colts 10: Jake Rudock threw two touchdown passes to Kenny Golladay, leading visiting Detroit over Indianapolis. Rudock played most of the first 2½ quarters and was 13-for-21 for 142 yards. Matthew Stafford was 2-for-3 for 36 yards on his only series, which ended on an interception. Briefly: Carolina quarterback Cam Newton threw passes during the team period for the first time in two weeks as the team wrapped up training camp. Newton did not throw long passes while rehabbing from soreness in his right shoulder that stems from rotator-cuff surgery in March . ... ESPN reported the Bears claimed kicker Roberto Aguayo off waivers from the Buccaneers, who made him a second-round pick a year ago. Tampa Bay let him go after he missed two extra-point tries and made 22 of 31 field-goal attempts last season, then struggled in camp . ... Jacksonville receiver Marqise Lee was carted off the field during practice with a right leg injury, a potentially significant setback for a team already without rookie running back Leonard Fournette.