CARSON WARNS OF INJURY RISK
Parents should be informed before they sign up their kids to play football that the sport can cause longterm neurological damage, even to players who don’t have obvious concussion symptoms, NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson told a congressional panel on Friday.
Carson, other former players and brain-injury researchers spoke at a forum organized by House Democrats who are exploring what, if anything, Congress can do to make the nation’s most popular spectator sport safer.
The former linebacker, who made nine Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl in his 13-year career with the Giants, now devotes much of his time to raising awareness of head trauma and said he will not allow his 8-year-old grandson to play football.
“Every parent should be informed. They should be informed as to what risks they are subjecting their kids to,” said Carson, who was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in 1990. “Understand that your child could be subject to a neurological injury that could affect them for the rest of their lives.”
Attorneys seek new hearing.
Attorneys for Ezekiel Elliott indicated they intend to ask for another hearing before the federal appeals court that cleared the way for the NFL’s six-game suspension of the star Cowboys running back over domestic violence allegations.
Players’ union attorney Jeffrey Kessler wrote to a federal judge in New York that Elliott’s legal team would pursue a hearing before a larger panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
A three-judge panel voted 2-1 to grant the NFL’s request to overrule a Texas court’s injunction that had blocked the suspension. The ruling also ordered the Texas court to dismiss Elliott’s lawsuit.
Raiders-Chargers game on.
The NFL, keeping an eye on the wildfires in northern California, decided to play Sunday’s game between the Raiders and Chargers in Oakland as scheduled.
The NFL said it would continue to monitor air quality conditions in the Bay Area and will update the public with any changes via its social media channels. There had been discussions about moving the game elsewhere — possibly Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., due to air quality issues.
• Derek Carr came off the Raiders injury report on Friday after he was a full participant in practice, and as expected he will start at quarterback on Sunday.
• The wait is over for Mike Williams, as the Chargers’ rookie receiver told reporters he expects to make his NFL debut Sunday.
49ers release Bowman.
The 49ers released linebacker NaVorro Bowman in a move that cut ties with one of the few remaining links from the team’s past run of success.
General manager John Lynch said he and coach Kyle Shanahan met with Bowman on Thursday night.
Footnotes.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is questionable for Sunday’s game against New Orleans as he deals with an ankle injury. … The Vikings are going to be short-handed on offense heading into an important home game against the Packers. Quarterback Sam Bradford, receiver Stefon Diggs and left guard Nick Easton were all ruled out by head coach Mike Zimmer after not practicing during the week. … Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pass rusher Justin Houston were back on the practice field and should be ready to go when Kansas City plays the Steelers. … A Texas man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of robbing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and three others in May.