MORE NFL NEWS & NOTES FROM SATURDAY

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals release DE Philon day after arrest

TEMPE, Ariz.

The Arizona Cardinals have released defensive end Darius Philon, a day after Maricopa County jail records indicate he was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly instrument.

The Cardinals announced the move Saturday in a one-sentence statement.

A Phoenix police spokeswoman, Sgt. Maggie Cox, confirmed Saturday that Philon had been arrested, but declined to provide further information, referring a reporter to court documents that were not immediately available Saturday.

According to TMZ, Philon was taken to a Maricopa County jail Friday on charges from an incident in May outside a Phoenix-area strip club. A court video of Philon’s initial court appearance posted by KPNX-TV showed that a judge set bond for Philon and imposed conditions that included allowing Philon to travel out of state for work.

Detroit Lions

Lions put Kearse on IR, sign QB Josh Johnson

ALLEN PARK, Mich.

The Detroit Lions have placed wide receiver Jermaine Kearse on injured reserve and signed quarterback Josh Johnson.

Kearse hurt his left leg during Detroit’s first possession of Thursday’s preseason opener against New England, a 31-3 loss. He has played seven seasons and came to Detroit as a free agent this offseason from the New York Jets.

Quarterback Tom Savage was removed from the game at Ford Field when his head hit the turf on a sack. Johnson started three games for Washington last season.

Tennessee Titans

Titans’ D-lineman Casey clears PUP list

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey has passed his physical after starting the Tennessee Titans’ training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

The Titans announced Saturday that Casey passed his physical, along with other moves. They also placed rookie linebacker D’Andre Walker, a fifth-round draft pick out of Georgia, on injured reserve.

Casey, a Pro Bowl lineman each of the past four seasons, was placed on injured reserve after hurting a knee Dec. 22 in the fourth quarter of a 25-16 win over Washington. He led the Titans with seven sacks and 50 quarterback pressures last season.

League

AP Source: Kaepernick ready to compete to play

PHILADELPHIA

Colin Kaepernick is eager to prove he’s good enough to play in the NFL.

A person close to Kaepernick told The Associated Press on Friday: “Colin has always been prepared to compete at the highest level and is in the best shape of his life.” The person spoke anonymously because of the confidential nature of discussions with teams.

The 31-year-old Kaepernick hasn’t played since 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers. He helped start a wave of protests about social and racial injustice that season by kneeling during the national anthem at games. He drew strong criticism from President Donald Trump.

But Trump on Friday told reporters when asked if Kaepernick should play in the NFL: “Only if he’s good enough. I know the owners, I know Bob Kraft. They will do anything they can to win games.”

Kaepernick released a video earlier this week saying: “5 a.m. 5 days a week. For 3 years. Still Ready.”

The protests slowed down last season as the NFL made contributions to organizations chosen by players and promised more attention to social justice issues. Two players close to Kaepernick, Carolina’s Eric Reid and Miami’s Kenny Stills, continue to kneel.

The NFL in February settled a collusion grievance Kaepernick and Reid filed against the league. Reid, who played 13 games last season for the Panthers, signed a three-year contract with Carolina in February.

Associated Press