The Latest: Panthers unveil logo at midfield for 1st time
Posted 9/9/18
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by By The Associated Press , Associated Press - 9 September 2018 14:57-04:00
The Latest on the NFL's first Sunday of the regular season (all times eastern):
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2:55 p.m.
For the first time in franchise history, the Carolina Panthers have their team logo painted at midfield of Bank of America Stadium.
New owner David Tepper made the decision to use the Panthers black and blue logo after purchasing the team in July from Jerry Richardson, the team's founder and first owner.
The Panthers always had the NFL "shield" at midfield —per Richardson's orders— since they began play as an expansion franchise in 1995.
The Panthers host the Cowboys in their season opener.
— Steve Reed reporting in Charlotte, North Carolina
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2:30 p.m.
Andrew Luck's first half was just about as good as it can get after throwing an interception on his first official pass.
The Colts quarterback finished the half 20 of 25 with 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Plus, he marched the Colts 43 yards in 1 minute, 42 seconds to set up Adam Vinatieri for his third goal of the half, a 51-yarder, to give Indy a 16-10 lead.
Luck is back after missing more than 20 months with an injured shoulder.
Vinatieri needs four more field goals to break Morten Andersen's league record of 565.
— Michael Marot reporting from Indianapolis
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2:15 p.m.
Weather has delayed another NFL game, this time in Miami between the Tennessee Titans and Dolphins.
The game was suspended with 1:11 left in the second quarter because of lightning in the area. The teams went to the locker room — with the sun shining. Rain fell earlier, and there was also thunder in the area. Miami led 7-3.
Weather delayed kickoff 45 minutes for the season opener Thursday night between the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles and Atlanta in Philadelphia.
— Steve Wine reporting in Miami
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1:55 p.m.
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette has a hamstring injury and is questionable to return.
Fournette already has nine carries for 41 yards, and he led Jacksonville last season as a rookie with 1,040 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.
He caught a pass on the play before the Jaguars' last series and was being stretched out on the sideline when the Giants had the ball.
— Tom Canavan reporting from East Rutherford, New Jersey
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1:55 p.m.
Panthers three-time tight end Greg Olsen (back) appears to be ready for Carolina's game with the Dallas Cowboys.
Olsen was added to the team's injury report on Saturday after practicing full all week. Asked Sunday if he expects Olsen to play, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney replied "as far as I know."
— Steve Reed reporting from Charlotte, North Carolina
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1:50 p.m.
Houston Texans right tackle Seantrel Henderson has left the game against New England with a left ankle injury.
Patriots defensive lineman Keionta Davis landed on Henderson's ankle while trying to rush quarterback Deshaun Watson. Henderson was tended to on the field for a few minutes and then walked off under his own power.
After the training staff looked at him on the sideline, Henderson was helped onto a cart, hopping on his right leg, and driven into the tunnel beneath the stands.
It was a few plays after Houston defensive lineman Christian Covington needed medical attention. He is questionable to return with a thigh injury, according to the Texans.
— Jimmy Golen reporting from Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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1:40 p.m.
Kirk Cousins has thrown his 100th career touchdown pass and his first for the Minnesota Vikings.
The new quarterback found Stefon Diggs in single coverage by San Francisco cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on a fade route on third-and-3 from 22 yards out in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The ball was perfectly placed along the edge of the end zone to give the Vikings a 10-0 lead over the 49ers.
Cousins spent the first six seasons of his career with Washington. He signed a three-year, $84 million, fully guaranteed contract with Minnesota in March.
— Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis
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1:26 p.m.
Andrew Luck is getting off to a bit of a rocky start in his return for the Indianapolis Colts.
After receiving a loud ovation during introductions, Luck made it onto the field for his first regular-season series in more than 20 months at the Bengals 7.
It didn't last long.
Following a first-down run, rookie guard Quenton Nelson was called for a hold. On second-and-14 from the Bengals 14, Luck was picked off by linebacker Preston Brown on his first official pass since returning from shoulder surgery.
It got worse. Cincinnati Bengals safety Shawn Williams has been ejected after making a helmet to helmet hit on Luck. The Colts quarterback ran for 7 yards before being hit in the head by Williams while being tackled.
Luck did not leave the game.
— Michael Marot reporting from Indianapolis.
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1:05 p.m.
The Ravens and Bills kicked off a new season on a wet field.
It's been raining in the Baltimore area all weekend, at times heavily. Throw in a stiff wind and temperatures dipping below 60 degrees, and it's as if this game was taking place in the middle of the season.
The Ravens are seeking to improve their record in openers under coach John Harbaugh to 8-3. Baltimore has won 18 of its last 20 home games in September.
This is the third career start for Buffalo quarterback Nathan Peterman, who enters with a career QB rating of 38.4.
— Dave Ginsburg reporting from Baltimore.
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1:10 p.m.
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson are the only NFL players seen kneeling during the national anthem of early games in protest of police brutality and social injustice.
Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist, and San Francisco wide receiver Marquise Goodwin raised his right arm with fist clenched during the anthem in New Orleans.
Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith Jr. stood during the national anthem after staying in the locker room for "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the preseason before playing the New York Giants.
Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews also was on the sideline after staying in the tunnel or locker room during the anthem much of last season.
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10:10 a.m.
President Donald Trump has tweeted his disapproval of the NFL on Sunday morning before the first full slate of games.
The president has criticized players for their demonstrations protesting social injustice during the national anthem, and the league for not requiring players to be on the sideline at attention when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played.
He made reference to lower ratings on NBC in Thursday night's season opener in which Super Bowl champion Philadelphia beat Atlanta 18-12.
"Wow, NFL first game ratings are way down over an already really bad last year comparison," Trump tweeted. "Viewership declined 13%, the lowest in over a decade. If the players stood proudly for our Flag and Anthem, and it is all shown on broadcast, maybe ratings could come back? Otherwise worse!"
The NFL unilaterally passed a policy requiring players to stand at attention for the anthem or to stay in the locker room or in the tunnel under the stands. When that policy met with heavy criticism, it was put on hold while the league and players' association discussed other options. Those discussions are continuing.