Change next year in anthem policy?

Some NFL owners believe there is a strong possibility they will enact an offseason change to the league’s national-anthem policy if the players’ protests during the anthem continue through the end of this season, reverting to a previous approach of keeping players in the locker room while the anthem is played, according to the Washington Post, which spoke with several people familiar with the league’s inner workings.

“I think that if players are still kneeling at the end of the year, then it could very well happen,” said a person familiar with the owners’ deliberations on anthem issues.

That person said it was “too early to tell” for certain if the change to the anthem policy will be made. The person was “not sure” if a formal vote of the owners would be required to do so but said, “I think most owners would support it, particularly if players continue to kneel this season.”

Hall semifinalists: Former 49ers Roger Craig and Terrell Owens, current 49ers general manager John Lynch and former Raiders receiver Randy Moss are among 27 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame. Moss made it in his first year of eligibility, as did Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Richard Seymour, Steve Hutchinson and Ronde Barber.

Four previously eligible players made it for the first time: LeRoy Butler, Leslie O’Neal, Simeon Rice and Everson Walls. Others on the 2018 list, all of whom reached the semifinals in previous years: Steve Atwater, Tony Boselli, Isaac Bruce, Don Coryell, Brian Dawkins, Alan Faneca, Torry Holt, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, Jimmy Johnson, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Karl Mecklenburg and Hines Ward.

Bobby Beathard (contributor) and Robert Brazile and Jerry Kramer (senior candidates) already were finalists.

Briefly: The Seahawks waived defensive end Dwight Freeney four games after signing him. Freeney had three sacks in his first two games, then did not record a tackle in each of his past two games . ... Jacksonville receiver Allen Hurns missed a fourth consecutive practice and is unlikely to play at Arizona. Hurns was wearing a walking boot on his sprained right ankle . ... Washington center Spencer Long needs surgery on a quadriceps tendon and will go on injured reserve. Left guard Shawn Lauvao also is done for the season because of a stinger, leaving Washington (4-6) without two-fifths of its starting offensive line . .... The Falcons waived cornerback Jalen Collins after his second suspension ended for violating the NFL policy on performanceenhancing substances.