AROUND THE NFL
■ National anthem: Dolphins teammates Kenny Stills and Albert Watson were the only two players to kneel during the national anthem on the NFL’s opening Sunday, and Colin Kaepernick, who is no longer welcome on an NFL sideline, offered his thanks via social media. “My Brothers (Stills) and (Watson) continue to show their unwavering strength by fighting for the oppressed,” Kapernick said in his tweet. “They have not backed down, even when attacked and intimidated. Love is at the root of our resistance.” While Stills and Watson were kneeling, teammate Robert Quinn raised his fist. WR Marquise Goodwin of the 49ers did the same at Minnesota. Jalen Ramsey and Telvin Smith Jr. of the Jaguars stayed in the locker room while the anthem was played.
■ Steelers: They might not miss holdout Le’Veon Bell as much as they feared. Second-year RB James Conner filled in and had 192 total yards in his first career start. On a day when QB Ben Roethlisberger struggled and had five turnovers, Conner was steady, rushing for 135 yards and adding 57 more on five catches with two touchdowns.
■ Panthers: For the first time in franchise history, the Panthers had their team logo painted at midfield of Bank of America Stadium. New owner David Tepper made the decision to use the team’s black and blue logo after purchasing the team in July from Jerry Richardson, the founder and first owner. The Panthers always had the NFL shield at midfield since beginning play as an expansion franchise in 1995.
■ Buccaneers: The combined 88 points in their victory over the Saints set an NFL record for a regular-season opener, narrowly eclipsing the Eagles’ 45-42 victory over the Redskins in 1947. The Bucs scored on six of their first seven possessions, failing to score only when they ran out the final 55 seconds before halftime.
■ Injuries: Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin (right MCL); Chiefs LB Ben Niemann (hamstring); Chargers RT Joe Barksdale (knee); Cowboys DE Randy Gregory (concussion); Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot), RT Daryl Williams (knee); Redskins WR Cam Sims (ankle), WR Trey Quinn (ankle), S Troy Apke (hamstring); Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring); Giants RB Wayne Gallman (knee); Buccaneers CB Vernon Hargreaves (shoulder); 49ers WR Marquise Goodwin (quadriceps), RG Mike Person (foot); Vikings CB Trae Waynes (knee); Texans DE Christian Covington (thigh), T Seantrel Henderson (ankle); Patriots RB Jeremy Hill (knee).