Panthers’ signing of Reid causes stir
Eric Reid’s return to the NFL created a buzz around the league on Thursday, six months after he filed a grievance alleging collusion by the NFL to prevent teams from signing him because of his participation in racial injustice protests during the national anthem alongside former 49ers teammate Colin Kaepernick.
Some NFL players were excited about the 2013 Pro Bowl safety signing a oneyear deal with the Panthers but were quick to point out they believe Kaepernick should be back in the league as well.
Kaepernick congratulated Reid on Twitter, saying Reid “should have been signed the 1st day of free agency. He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family and communities in need.”
Said Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett, “It’s about time.”
Reid was mum during the hoopla, declining comment through the Panthers.
The 26-year-old Reid said in March that he doesn’t plan to protest during the national anthem this season. The Panthers have a bye this week and next play at home Oct. 7 against the Giants.
The NFL is sticking with its officiating emphasis on quarterback hits, including those in which the tackler uses all or most of his body weight when falling on the quarterback.
NFL football operations chief Troy Vincent said the competition committee has clarified to game officials the techniques used in such hits, which have been a source of debate through the first three weeks of the schedule. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews has been called for three of them, two of which appeared to be normal tackles.
A lack of consistency on such calls has been a source of contention throughout the league. In its regularly scheduled conference call, the committee reviewed video of such plays from 2017 and this year.
“In reiterating its position on quarterback protection,” Vincent says, “the committee determined there would be no changes to the point of emphasis approved this spring.”
Broncos TE Jake Butt tore his left ACL during a walkthrough practice and is headed for injured reserve for the second straight season. Butt spent his rookie season on IR while recovering from the same injury to his other knee. Butt had eight catches for 85 yards this season. ... The Titans now are without their top two receiving threats this season after releasing WR Rishard Matthews because they couldn’t trade the veteran. GM Jon Robinson said Matthews talked with him last week about being unhappy, then came to him Monday requesting to be traded or released. ... Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates said the team has experienced malfunctions with its sideline headsets in all three games this season. Bates said that while he’s not making excuses for onfield miscommunication, the Jets have had to work around those issues at Detroit, at home against the Dolphins and at Cleveland.