NFL news & notes

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Protesters want team to sign QB Kaepernick

BALTIMORE

About 15 protesters knelt between the Johnny Unitas and Ray Lewis statues in front of M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday morning to encourage the Ravens to sign free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The demonstration, which was planned on social media, lasted about an hour as the Ravens were participating in an open practice inside the stadium. Protesters carried signs that read, “Ravens fans for Kaepernick,” and “Blacklist: What is it good for?”

Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, became one of the most polarizing athletes in the country last year when he began declining to stand for the pregame national anthem. The Ravens explored signing him when they learned that starting quarterback Joe Flacco would be sidelined with a back injury. Ryan Mallett is currently the Ravens’ top healthy quarterback.

As the team weighed the decision, it heard from fans both for and against signing Kaepernick.

Meredith Tyler held a sign Saturday that read: “Say No to NFL Racism. Sign Colin Kaepernick.”

“I don’t think the whole Colin Kaepernick issue is a football decision,” the Federal Hill woman said. “I think it’s probably a money decision and the Ravens organization is too frightened that they are going to lose fans, lose supporters, lose ticket holders that they don’t want to take that chance nor do other teams in the league.

“It is something that I support. If the Ravens took a strong stance against Kaepernick, I would consider not attending games.”

Jets 7, Jaguars 3

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota played his first game since breaking his right leg late last season in a loss to the Jets in the preseason opener for both teams on Saturday night.

Mariota, who threw for 3,426 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2016 before his injury on Dec. 24 against Jacksonville, played two series in the first quarter.

On his first attempt, he scrambled to his right and completed a 15-yard pass to Rishard Matthews . He finished 2 of 3 for 15 yards.

Unlike the Titans, the Jets’ quarterback situation is more muddled. Well-traveled veteran Josh McCown got the start for New York. He was 3 of 4 for 72 yards and a touchdown in his one series, which was enough for the win because the Jets defense had eight sacks and was dominant throughout.

Christian Hackenberg, a second-round pick in 2016, took over for McCown and played until late in the third quarter. Hackenberg was 18 of 25 for 127 yards.

Associated Press