The Pittsburgh Steelers won't be participating in the national anthem prior to Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears and will instead stay in the locker room, head coach Mike Tomlin told CBS' Jamie Erdahl."We're not going to play politics. We're football players, we're football coaches," said Tomlin. "We're not participating in the anthem today, not to be disrespectful to the anthem, to remove ourselves from the circumstance."

The majority of NFL owners and players have come out in support of those who protest social injustice during the national anthem in the wake of President Donald Trump's criticism.However, while Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe said he believes people have the right to protest in a statement Sunday, he also called the anthem "maybe the wrong platform" and questioned why those who don't believe the United States is the greatest country in the world continue to stay.Wolfe's full statement reads as follows, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson:

Indianapolis Colts star quarterback Andrew Luck is expected to begin practicing as early as next week, barring a setback, after missing the first three games of the season following offseason shoulder surgery, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.Luck could reportedly be healthy enough to return for a Week 6 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, though Mortensen adds the veteran pivot will need two to three weeks of preparation in order to make his season debut, putting his return timetable between Week 5 to Week 7.Luck's progress of late was enough for the Colts to believe he can be a limited participant in practice next week.After missing all offseason workouts and training camp, the Colts took Luck off the physically unable to perform list prior to the regular season. If Luck started the year on the PUP list, he would have been forced to miss the first half of the season.The Colts' offense has struggled mightily without their franchise player, scoring just 25 combined points during a 0-2 start, which includes a 46-9 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.Jacoby Brissett will continue to start in Luck's absence after taking over for the disappointing Scott Tolzien.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has thrown his weight behind his players following President Trump's criticism of NFLers who protest during the national anthem."We recognize our players' influence," said Bisciotti in a statement Sunday. "We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That's democracy in its highest form."Related: Jaguars owner takes part as both teams protest before London gameBoth the Ravens' and the Jacksonville Jaguars' sidelines came together in protest during the "Star Spangled-Banner" prior to Sunday's game in London.Some knelt for the anthem, while others opted to stand with linked arms, including Jaguars owner Shahid Khan and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.Week 3 of the NFL regular season resumes with a big Sunday sled of games, plenty of which are seeing significant wagering. Covers checks in on the action for four of those games, with insights from Jason Simbal, vice president of risk management for CG Technology in Las Vegas, and Tom Ostrow, analyst for offshore sportsbook MyBookie.ag.Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – Open: +1; Move: +2; Move: +3Denver is out of the box 2-0 SU and ATS, but making its first road trip of the season for this 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The Broncos stunned Dallas 42-17 in Week 2 as a 2.5-point home underdog, holding Ezekiel Elliott to just 8 yards rushing on nine carries.Buffalo (1-1 SU, 2-0 ATS) won and cashed in Week 1 at home against the New York Jets, but couldn’t get anything going offensively in Week 2 at Carolina. The Bills gave up just three field goals to the Panthers, but lost 9-3 as a 6.5-point home pup.“Broncos coming off a really good performance against the Cowboys, so the fans have the Broncos in mind. The Bills have not looked great offensively,” Simbal said. “This game opened with the Broncos, traveling to Buffalo, being a 1-point favorite. It’s been bet up all the way to 3. Public play on the Broncos.”MyBookie also went from Denver -1 to -3 and has a big decision riding on this game.“The NFL game of the week from a betting perspective, with over 75 percent of the money in on the Broncos -3,” Ostrow said. “With eight times the money on the Broncos over the Bills, MyBookie.ag needs Buffalo to win the game.”Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – Open: +3; Move: NoneDetroit is a home underdog once again, having won from that role in Week 1 against Arizona, 35-23 catching 2.5 points. The Lions (2-0 SU and ATS) followed with a strong showing at the New York Giants in Week 2, winning 24-10 as a 3-point ‘dog in the Monday night contest.Defending NFC champion Atlanta (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) looked more like last year’s squad in Week 2, for a rematch of the conference championship game. The Falcons led Green Bay 31-7 early in the third quarter and coasted to a 34-23 victory as a 3-point home chalk.“This game has been all Falcons money, not too surprisingly,” Simbal said of the 1 p.m. ET contest. “The Lions, even though they’ve had a nice start to the season, big win on Monday night in New York, it didn’t really get the attention of the public. The public is all over the Falcons, especially after what they did to the Packers. So we’re certainly gonna be rooting for the Lions in this game, and as of now, it’s shaping up to be one of the bigger decisions.”Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers – Open: -9.5; Move: -9; Move: -8.5; Move: -9; Move: -8.5; Move: -8; Move: -7.5; Move: -8; Move: -7.5In its first two games this season, Green Bay (1-1 SU and ATS) faced two playoff teams from last season and mustered a split. Coming off a home win and cover over Seattle, the Packers couldn’t keep up with Atlanta in Week 2, losing 34-23 as a 3-point road underdog.Cincinnati has been awful in both its games so far, going off as a home favorite both times and losing SU and ATS. In the Week 2 Thursday nighter, the Bengals managed only three field goals – the last one coming midway through the third quarter – in a 13-9 loss to Houston laying 5.5 points.“We’ve actually seen some sharp action on Cincinnati, believe it or not,” Simbal said, noting early wagering was definitely wiseguys, before the line really took a tumble the past couple of days from 9 to 7.5. “The sharp action is backing the ‘dog. Maybe this game’s a little bit closer than people think.”This non-conference contest kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET.New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – Open: -3; Move: -3.5; Move: -5.5; Move: -6What bettors saw last is definitely affecting their opinion of New York for this 1 p.m. ET NFC East clash. The Giants (0-2 SU and ATS), who scored just 3 points on the road against Dallas in Week 1, lost their home opener 24-10 to Detroit as a 3-point fave under the Monday night lights in Week 2.

Warning: Story/video contains coarse languageAmid talk of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem and President Donald Trump's instructions for owners to fire any "son of a bitch" who does so, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made an intriguing post Sunday on Instagram.Rodgers posted a photo of himself kneeling with teammates Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobb during a practice:

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard will play Sunday despite a sprained AC joint, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports, citing a source.Howard has had limited impact through two weeks this season after finishing his rookie campaign as the league's second-leading rusher. He's carried the ball 22 times for 59 yards and a touchdown thus far. Rookie Tarik Cohen leads the team with 79 yards in two games on just 12 carries.The Bears face the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageThe sidelines of the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars were a sea of protests during the national anthem prior to Sunday's game in London.Numerous players on both teams knelt during the "Star-Spangled Banner," and those who didn't kneel opted to stand with their arms locked.Jaguars owner Shahid Khan was among those linking arms, as was Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Terrell Suggs, Leonard Fournette, and former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis were among those that took a knee.

The New York Giants are optimistic that star cornerback Janoris Jenkins will return Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after a one-game absence due to an ankle injury, Kimberly Jones of NFL Network reports.However, Jenkins is still expected to be a game-time decision.The 28-year-old was sidelined for the Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions in which New York's defense gave up 24 points and Matthew Stafford finished with a 117.6 passer rating.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made arguably the strongest statement yet from an NFL coach regarding President Donald Trump's incendiary remarks about players who protest during the national anthem.Hours before his Seahawks were to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Carroll released a statement on Twitter, defending NFL players and calling for "equality for all people":

Washington Redskins running back Rob Kelley is not expected to play Sunday in a prime-time game against the Oakland Raiders due to a rib injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 24-year-old was listed as questionable. His absence should mean expanded roles for rookie Samaje Perine and Chris Thompson.Kelley was expected to be supplanted by Perine this offseason, but held onto the starting job through training camp, and has 108 yards on 22 carries this campaign.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers are among a handful of teams who have reached out to seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Despite being on the sidelines for the first three weeks of the year, Revis is still expected to suit up this season following his offseason release from the New York Jets, added Schefter.The Chargers need reinforcements at cornerback following a season-ending injury to Jason Verrett.The 32-year-old hasn't played at a dominant level for some years, but may still be able to perform at a solid level if given a less demanding role compared to his "Revis Island" days.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a rare display of unity, commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith discussed Saturday how best to approach the criticism regarding player protests from President Donald Trump, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Goodell and Smith also spoke to Malcolm Jenkins, as the Philadelphia Eagles safety is one of a handful of players who have protested during the anthem this season and is considered a leader among players when it comes to social activism.Both Goodell and Smith see the Trump controversy as an opportunity for the league to help unite the country, added Schefter.Unprecedented protests from players are expected around the league Sunday.Trump continued his war of words with the NFL on Sunday following his original criticism at a rally Friday in Alabama. The president called for fans to boycott the league if NFL owners don't take action against protesters.Trump tweeted, "Fire or suspend!"Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement Sunday regarding the comments made by President Donald Trump on Friday.At a rally in Alabama, Trump implored NFL owners to fire any player who protests during the national anthem. He told owners to "get that son of a bitch off the field," a statement that has since been condemned by players, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and the NFLPA.Kraft joined that chorus Sunday with the following statement:

The Oakland Raiders' entire starting offensive line intend to sit or kneel as a group during Sunday's U.S. national anthem before their game against Washington Redskins, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Raiders' offense line - Donald Penn, Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, and Marshall Newhouse - is the only all African-American unit in the league.The decision to protest comes in the wake of Donald Trump's criticism of players who protest, with the president calling for those who demonstrate to be "fired."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sam Bradford received a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews and it revealed no structural damage to his injured left knee, NFL.com's Tom Pelissero reports, citing sources.The Minnesota Vikings quarterback missed the team's Week 2 game and has already been declared out for Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the injury. He is considered week-to-week.The two absences come after Bradford won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1 after going 27-for-32 for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a decimation of the New Orleans Saints. Without him the following week, the Vikings lost 26-9 to the Pittsburgh Steelers with Case Keenum at the helm.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)President Donald Trump continued his assault on the NFL on Sunday, calling for fans to boycott the league until owners either "fire of suspend" players who protest during the U.S. national anthem.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fourth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 3.Standard

President Donald Trump's suggestion Friday that NFL owners fire players who protest during the national anthem was met with widespread derision Saturday.When commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement supporting players, Trump doubled down:

President Donald Trump fired back at Commissioner Roger Goodell in a tweet, after the NFL released a statement Saturday condemning the commander in-chief's comments about players protesting during the national anthem.Goodell insisted Trump's comments showed "a lack of respect for the NFL" after the president told NFL owners to fire players who continue their protests against racial inequality and social injustice during a rally Friday.Trump wasn't having any of it.

Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy joined the chorus of executives that have condemned President Donald Trump for his comments regarding players protesting during the national anthem.Trump suggested NFL owners should fire players who protest during the anthem, and criticized the league for its declining ratings and less physical play. He followed up his remarks by rescinding an offer to visit the White House - which was never presented - from Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.Here's Murphy's statement, obtained by ESPN's Rob Demovsky:

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San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York became the latest executive to rip into President Donald Trump, after he implored NFL owners to fire players who protest during the national anthem during a rally on Friday.Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and New York Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch released their own statements condemning Trump.York's statement read:

Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka is trying to promote a message of unity amid one of the most politically and racially contentious climates in modern American history.Hauschka is infuriated with the way black players have been treated on and off the field, and said that white people need to be cognizant of the growing divide within the country."I think a lot of white people don't understand it and are afraid to be involved," Hauschka said Thursday to Kimberley A. Martin of The Buffalo News. "And I think it's important for white people to see there is inequality everywhere in the country right now, and in the world."Hauschka, a 10-year veteran, said his point of view has been shaped by black teammates that he's played with during the course of his career."I don't have all the answers, I don’t even pretend to. But I am open to talking about it and I am open to learning about it with the hopes that one day, either our generation or future generations, can improve racial inequality and how people are treated around the world," he said.Amid one of the most turbulent political climates in recent history, Hauschka's allyship could go a long way in trying to bridge the gap.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released a statement Saturday in support of his players who protest during the national anthem.Ross' remarks come in the wake of President Donald Trump's condemnation of players who have demonstrated their dissent. Trump implored NFL owners to fire those who continue to take a stand.The statement reads as follows:

The Detroit Lions revealed they signed head coach Jim Caldwell to a contract extension Saturday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Caldwell signed the extension months ago, but it was only publicly disclosed Saturday.Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the club.Caldwell is in his fourth season as the Lions' head coach, steering the team to playoff appearances in 2014 and 2016. The Lions are off to a 2-0 start under his tutelage and square off against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.Detroit has posted a 29-21 cumulative record in Caldwell's tenure with the club.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins safety Su'a Cravens said he intends to play next season after mulling retirement earlier this month.Cravens was placed on the reserve/left squad list after he failed to report to the team in early September, rendering him unable to rejoin the team for the 2017 season.Although Cravens hasn't made a finite decision on his football career, it appears that he wants to suit up for the Redskins in 2018."I would just say God has a plan for everybody and right now he's putting me through something he knows I can handle," Cravens said via ESPN's John Keim. "It will make me stronger. Hopefully, around this time next year I'll be back on that field."Cravens previously stated that he needs to do what makes him happy and appeared ambivalent about a possible return to the Redskins.Selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of USC, Cravens suffered a concussion that severely damaged his vision, and was forced to wear glasses as a result. Cravens also underwent his knee injury and reportedly tore his biceps.It appears that the Redskins would welcome Cravens back for the 2018 season, but they haven't commented formally since placing him on the reserve/left squad list.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers tight end Martellus Bennett refused to back down from President Donald Trump after the commander-in-chief asked NFL owners to fire players who protest during the national anthem.Trump told owners to 'get that son of a bitch off the field' - referring to players who kneel during the national anthem - during a rally in Huntsville, Ala., on Friday evening, while criticizing the NFL for its declining ratings.Bennett has been one of the most outspoken advocates in the NFL against police brutality, racial inequality, and social injustice, and made it clear that he won't be intimidated by Trump's latest series of remarks.

New York Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch released a statement Saturday condemning President Donald Trump for comments made about NFL players Friday during a rally in Huntsville, Ala.Trump emphatically demanded that owners fire players who protest during the national anthem, with his remarks drawing the ire of numerous athletes, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and LeSean McCoy.The Giants' statement reads as follows, per Jenny Vrentas of The MMQB:

There's still three months of the college season left, but one USC fan has already predicted where quarterback Sam Darnold will be next year.During the broadcast on ABC, cameras panned to the Trojans fan in the crowd who was holding a New York Jets jersey with Darnold's name and number on the back.

theScore's Jack Browne breaks down five of the most important in-game matchups ahead of Week 3.Amari Cooper vs. Josh NormanCooper is undoubtedly the Raiders' most talented receiver, but while Oakland's offense has been on fire over the first two games of the season, the young wideout only has nine catches for 95 yards and one touchdown.Meanwhile, Norman has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign by allowing just a 36.4 percent catch rate, the second-best mark among cornerback with 10 or more targets, according to Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke. However, he's questionable for Week 3 with a shoulder injury, and could be limited when playing press coverage if he suits up - something Cooper has the speed and agility to take advantage of.The Redskins' offense - which has struggled so far this season - likely can't keep up with the Raiders' high-flying unit. It definitely won't be able to if Norman can't shut down Cooper, although the defensive back should also see time opposite Michael Crabtree, ideally in the red zone, after the veteran wideout caught three touchdowns in Week 2.Deshaun Watson/Bill O'Brien vs. Matt Patricia/Dont'a HightowerIn a rematch of last year's divisional round, the mouthwatering matchup is between Tom Brady and the Houston Texans' dominant defense. The Texans beat up on Brady in the playoffs before the Patriots adjusted and pulled away in the second half.However, that titanic battle likely won't determine the result on Sunday. Instead, it'll come down to how Watson - the type of rookie quarterback the Patriots usually feast on - deals with the game plan drawn up by defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.New England knows the ins and outs of Bill O'Brien's offensive scheme, as the head coach spent 2011 as the Patriots' offensive coordinator. This means O'Brien can't consistently put Watson in situations where Patricia can dissect the offense's play and allow linebacker Dont'a Hightower - the quarterback of the defense - to adjust the call and bring extra pressure.Watson has a tendency to let his eyes drop when forced to move in the pocket, so the Patriots will do their best to move the rookie off his spot and into situations where he panics, turns the ball over, and puts a greater strain on Houston's defense.Titans' offensive line vs. Seahawks' defensive lineIf you love to watch elite players go to work in the trenches, then the Tennesse Titans versus the Seattle Seahawks is the game for you in Week 3.It's almost guaranteed that Seattle's offensive line will allow constant pressure on Russell Wilson, so it's imperative that the defensive line does the same to Marcus Mariota.However, while Wilson is apparently protected by the five biggest men the Seahawks can find walking past the stadium each week, the Titans' quarterback has an elite unit in front of him, headlined by offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan.Conklin, Lewan, and the rest of the Titans' offensive line are facing the biggest test of their season so far, though. The Seahawks can create pressure with just their front four, and their nickel defensive line of Cliff Avril, Sheldon Richardson, Michael Bennett, and Frank Clark is arguably the best in the league.Ty Montgomery vs. Bengals' front sevenReceiver Randall Cobb is all but certain to miss the Green Bay Packers' matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, as is starting left tackle David Bakhtiari. But the injury concerns for Green Bay's offense don't stop there.Right tackle Bryan Bulaga is questionable after he and Bakhtiari missed Week 2, and while Jordy Nelson appears ready to go despite a quad injury, he might not be at 100 percent. In short, the Packers can't expect Aaron Rodgers to work miracles with a severely weakened supporting cast, even against a floundering Bengals team.Enter, Montgomery.The Packers will likely rely heavily on Montgomery, despite his early-season struggles running the ball. And behind a weakened offensive line, he'll need to make his own plays, using his ability to consistently break tackles in the open field to take the sting out of the Bengals' pass rush, led by Geno Atkins.Jason Pierre-Paul/Olivier Vernon vs. Lane Johnson/Jason PetersPierre-Paul called the New York Giants' Week 3 divisional contest against the Philadelphia Eagles a must-win game following an 0-2 start - and he's not wrong. The Giants need a victory to save their season, and Pierre-Paul and fellow pass-rusher Vernon will be key to making it happen.In Week 2, the Kansas City Chiefs sat back early on against the Eagles, opting against using too many resources to create pressure. Consequently, Carson Wentz picked them apart until the Chiefs realized their mistake.The Giants can't make the same error. The Eagles have a pair of top bookends in Johnson and Peters, who both possess the elite athleticism to stonewall New York's edge rushers. If the Eagles' offensive line can keep Wentz clean, the Giants will struggle to leave with the win. However, Wentz still reacts poorly to pressure, and Pierre-Paul and Vernon have the talent to make the quarterback's day miserable if given enough opportunities.A few more points from the offense wouldn't hurt, either.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

President Donald Trump doubled down on his comments from Friday, tweeting Saturday that any player who shows "disrespect" by protesting during the U.S. national anthem should lose the "privilege" of playing in the NFL.

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)Thirty-five NFL players who have previously not protested during the national anthem will do so Sunday in response to President Donald Trump's comments, according to Shaun King of The Intercept.Related - Trump rips anthem protesters: 'Get that son of a b---- off the field'Players will sit, take a knee, or raise a fist during the "Star-Spangled Banner," added King.Buffalo Bills players, in particular, plan to address Trump's call for anthem protesters to be fired in a team meeting Saturday, according to ESPN's Jeff Darlington.Darlington described the Bills' locker room as "extremely emotional" in the wake of Trump's criticism, with players considering "several possibilities" in terms of a protest in Week 3.Bills star running back LeSean McCoy called the president an "asshole" in a tweet Saturday, one of many responses from NFLers on social media.Related: NFLers continue to condemn Trump's call to fire anthem protestersTrump's comments were also denounced by commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Players Association president Eric Winston joined the chorus of criticism aimed at Donald Trump following the president's disparaging remarks about NFL players who protest during the national anthem.In a statement Saturday, the free-agent offensive tackle said Trump's comments "were a slap in the face" to all Americans, from civil rights heroes to soldiers:

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said Saturday he won't address President Donald Trump's criticism of NFL players who protest during the national anthem with his team, according to David Helman of the team's official site.Related - Trump rips anthem protesters: 'Get that son of a b---- off the field'In a back-and-forth with reporters, Garrett gave cautious responses, refusing to give his opinion on Trump's comments:

What is Chris Berman up to these days, you ask?The legendary ESPN broadcaster is on UMass' sideline Saturday, helping coach the Minutemen against Tennessee.

Los Angeles Chargers star cornerback Jason Verrett has decided to undergo season-ending knee surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 2015 Pro Bowler spent the offseason rehabbing from a partially torn ACL suffered in October 2016. Verrett played in Week 1, but wasn't able to suit up in Week 2 after experiencing knee soreness.It's a huge blow to a Chargers team looking to claw itself out of a 0-2 start. Verrett is one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks, and is invaluable to a defense that has to contain star wideouts within its division like Demaryius Thomas, Tyreek Hill, and Amari Cooper.Trevor Williams will likely continue to start in Verrett's absence.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)NFLers - past and present - continue to blast President Donald Trump for his unprecedented comments about players who protest during the national anthem.Related - LeSean McCoy: President Trump is an 'a--hole'Related - Sherman: Trump's behavior is 'unacceptable,' must be condemnedTrump said those who protest during the anthem should be fired, leading to an onslaught of criticism on social media. Here are some of the reactions from NFLers:

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)LeSean McCoy isn't mincing his words when it comes to Donald Trump.In a tweet Saturday, the Buffalo Bills' star running back said the president was an "asshole" after Trump called for NFL owners to fire any players who protest during the national anthem.

Richard Sherman is one of the NFL's most outspoken players, and the Seattle Seahawks' star cornerback has come to the league's - and its players - defense following criticism by President Donald Trump regarding protests during the national anthem.In a tweet Saturday, Sherman described Trump's behavior as "unacceptable" and called for all to "condemn" him:

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)Commissioner Roger Goodell called President Donald Trump's criticism of NFL players who protest the national anthem "divisive" in a statement Saturday, adding that Trump's comments "demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL ... and all of our players."

The Frozen Tundra will be a little toasty Sunday, as the Week 3 matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals may be the hottest game ever played at Lambeau Field, according to Jeff Maillet of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Temperatures are expected to rise to a high of 88 degrees with 67 percent humidity, exceeding the 84 degrees reached during a 1963 win for the Packers over the Los Angeles Rams, added Maillet.The Bengals will be looking to pull out a shock win amid the heat to avoid an 0-3 start in their first game with new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The Packers, meanwhile, are 1-1 following a Week 2 rout at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith has defended national anthem protesters following shocking criticism from President Donald Trump at a rally Friday in Huntsville, Ala.Related - Trump rips anthem protesters: 'Get that son of a b---- off the field'In a statement Saturday, Smith said the union will always protect "the constitutional rights of our players as citizens." He added that "we can no longer afford to stick to sports" and appeared to call for the NFL to respond to Trump:

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)Colin Kaepernick's mother, Teresa, sent a series of tweets in response to President Donald Trump ripping national anthem protesters during a rally Friday in Huntsville, Ala.Trump said anthem protesters - a movement started by the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback - should be fired for their actions."Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners when someone disrespects our flag? Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He's fired. HE'S FIRED!" Trump said, yelling emphatically into the microphone as his speech carried on.Teresa then responded to Trump's inflammatory quote with a tweet, leaving little doubt about her support for her son:

President Donald Trump made headlines Friday after calling NFL owners to fire players who protest during the national anthem at a rally held in Huntsville, Alabama.Trump's comments incensed numerous players. Here is a sampling of their reactions:

(Warning: Story/video contains coarse language)

Vince Wilfork finally gets to take part in tailgating now that he's retired from the NFL, and needless to say, he's pretty excited."I always said when I'm playing that when I retired there was one thing I wanted to do," Wilfork told Alex Marvez of Sporting News. "I wanted to have a tailgate."He'll be doing exactly that outside Gillette Stadium ahead of Sunday's game between his two former teams, the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. It sounds like it's going to be a blast."I've been waiting for this tailgate for so long - who knows what you're going to get," he said. "Maybe I'll be playing beer pong. Maybe I'll be on the grill. Maybe I'll be walking around with my shirt off."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham is expected to play against the Tennessee Titans this weekend, head coach Pete Carroll said Friday, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.Graham is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but he practiced in full Friday and Carroll said he expects him to suit up Sunday."He did really well today," Carroll said. "Made it through the whole practice and did everything, practiced full. So he’ll be all right."The veteran tight end left a Week 2 matchup versus the San Francisco 49ers with the ailment, though he did return to the contest.Graham will be hoping to be a bigger factor in the Seattle offense this week, as he's only registered four catches on the season thus far.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is dismayed by his performance through the first two weeks, but the three-time Pro Bowler isn't concerned about his future progress.Bryant has caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown through two games, on pace for the lowest receiving yardage total of his career since his rookie season.Although Bryant expects more from himself, he understands that poor games are part of the ebb and flow of professional sports."Of course that's not acceptable, but this is the National Football League," Bryant said to ESPN's Todd Archer. "Things are going to go right and then when they do, it's going to be the exact opposite ... Everything is going to be great. You got to treat the lows like the highs and highs like the lows. That's what it's about. This is minor. That is minor to us. If we focus on that, pay attention to that, we are just feeding into what everybody is talking about. We can't do none of that."We understand how this game goes. These are great football players and great teams we are going up against. It's not just me and him. It's everything. It's 11 guys versus 11 guys. That's the last thing on our mind because we know when it hits, it hits."Bryant could be given some leeway, however. The Cowboys star faced off against the All-Pro duo of Aqib Talib and Chris Harris during a Week 2 loss to the Denver Broncos, while being matched up against New York Giants second-team All-Pro Janoris Jenkins in the team's opener.During Monday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, it's eminently possible Bryant could be blanketed by Patrick Peterson, and he's embracing the challenge."He is a super athlete, that’s who he is," Bryant said. "He is a helluva corner. He is arguably the best cornerback in the league. The guys is phenomenal. You got to be ready when you are going up against a guy like that. A real friend of mine. He knows how I am. I know how he is. It's going to be pretty darn good matchup Monday."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.