Anthem decision frustrates Cook

Raiders tight end Jared Cook on Tuesday decried the NFL’s new rule requiring players on the field to stand for the national anthem.

In 2016, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the anthem to protest social-injustice issues. Under the policy adopted by the NFL last week, teams face fines if players do not stand for the anthem. Players can remain in the locker room if they do not want to

stand.

“The narrative has changed on what it was originally about,” Cook said after practice Tuesday. “It’s a real issue in this country. And it’s sad that you can’t have great minds that come together to fix a problem and talk about a problem and make the situation better for all.

“We’re here for a bigger platform. We’re not just athletes. … When we speak on it, it’s not like we’re just speaking out of the side of our neck. It’s things that actually touch home and things we can actually relate to.

... I just think it’s sad how it’s veered from being something that stood for good and the whole narrative has changed into something that’s negative.”

In 2014, Cook was one of five Rams players who made a “Hands up, don’t shoot” gesture before a game against Oakland. The gesture had originated in protests following the fatal shooting of unarmed teen Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo.

Briefly: Among the players absent from Tuesday’s practice were receivers Jordy Nelson and Seth Roberts and safety Reggie Nelson. Defensive end Khalil Mack also remained absent amid contract discussions. Receiver Amari Cooper, who tweaked his hamstring last week, worked on the side with a trainer . ... Freeagent linebacker Mychal Kendricks, a Cal alum, is scheduled to visit with the Raiders this week, per a Yahoo! Sports report.