Romo has small fracture in back
NFL NOTEBOOK
FRISCO, TEXAS — Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett says quarterback
Tony Romo has a small fracture in his back.
On a conference call Saturday, Garrett said an MRI revealed the broken bone.
Romo is expected to be out 6-10 weeks though Garrett wasn’t specific on a timetable other than to say the quarterback would play this season.
The Cowboys open the season Sept. 11 at home against the New York Giants.
Romo, who has twice before had back surgery, got hurt when he took a hit on the third play of Thursday night’s preseason game at Seattle. He didn’t play anymore, and said afterward that he was OK.
KAEPERNICK PROTESTS ANTHEM
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is refusing to stand for the national anthem before games because he believes the United States oppresses African Americans and other minorities.
Kaepernick sat on the team’s bench Friday night during the anthem before the Niners played host to the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game. He later explained his reasoning in an interview with NFL Media .
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
The 49ers issued a statement after Pro Football Talk initially reported on Kaepernick’s stand, saying that Americans have the right to protest or support the anthem.
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony,” the team said. “It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
RAVENS’ WATSON TEARS ACHILLES
Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson has torn his right Achilles tendon and is likely lost for the season.
The injury occurred on Baltimore’s first offensive play in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday night.
Watson appeared to trip while running a pattern and slumped to the turf. After he finally got up, he had to be helped off the field.
Signed as a free agent in March, Watson was expected to be a key element in the Ravens’ passing game. He had 74 catches for 825 yards and six touchdowns last season with New Orleans.
The 35-year-old broke into the league in 2004 with New England and played with Cleveland from 2010 through 2012 before going to the Saints.
He has 434 catches for 4,963 yards and 38 touchdowns in 163 games.