Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand for the national anthem apparently has made his San Francisco 49ers jersey very popular, no matter why people are buying.
The league’s 33rd best seller on draft day in April, Kaepernick’s jersey has been the seventh best seller in the NFL over the past week and third among quarterbacks behind only behind Cam Newton and Tom Brady, according to DICK’s Sporting Goods Jersey Report.
The 49ers backup quarterback, who wouldn’t stand for the anthem during the team’s preseason games, has cited racial injustice and police brutality among the many reasons for his protest and said he plans to continue into the regular season.
San Francisco opens the season Sept. 12 hosting the Los Angeles Rams.
49ers release Bruce Miller after arrest for assault
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers released tight end Bruce Miller on Monday, just hours after he was arrested for assaulting two men.
Miller was charged with aggravated assault, elder abuse, threats and battery after an early-morning fight at a San Francisco hotel, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Miller was booked into county jail.
The police said they were called to the hotel at approximately 2:45 a.m. after Miller tried to enter a hotel room occupied by an elderly couple. The couple’s 29-year-old son, staying in the next room, then told Miller he was at the wrong room. Miller, who was intoxicated at the time, attacked the son and his 70-year-old father, who came to his son’s defense, police said.
The father was punched by Miller and both men were taken to the hospital for their injuries, police said.
KTVU-TV first reported the arrest.
The Niners initially said they were investigating the situation, then released Miller.
This is the second time Miller had a run-in with the law. In March 2015, Miller was arrested after he was accused of shoving his ex-fiancee and destroying her cellphone during an argument in Santa Clara. Miller pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, and was required to attend a 16-week anti-domestic-violence counseling course.
Julio Jones expected to be ready for opener
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Coach Dan Quinn expects All-Pro receiver Julio Jones to be full strength when the Atlanta Falcons install their game plan for Sunday’s opener against Tampa Bay.
Jones sprained his ankle in the third preseason game at Miami, but Quinn believes he will fully participate on Wednesday.
The Falcons are mostly healthy even though free safety Keanu Neal is out three to four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Kemal Ishmael, who will replace Neal, is expected to fully participate Wednesday after hurting his shoulder. Defensive ends Adrian Clayborn (shoulder) and Dwight Freeney (back) should be fine, too.
Receiver Taylor Gabriel, signed as a free agent on Sunday, will compete for the No. 5 receiver’s job and play several roles on special teams.
Surprise! Forsett back with Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Justin Forsett was re-signed Monday by the Baltimore Ravens, who cut the former Pro Bowl running back on Saturday.
Forsett ran for 1,266 yards in 2014 and carried for 641 yards as the starter last year before a broken arm cut short his season in late November.
He saw limited action in the preseason before being released in a surprising move. That left the Ravens with only two healthy running backs: Terrance West and Javorius Allen.
On his Twitter account, Forsett wrote Saturday: “The plot thickens.”
Then, late Monday afternoon, Ravens announced he had been added to the 53-man roster.
The team offered no explanation for his release, or why he was brought back.
Forsett was due to receive $3 million this season. He will have to sign a new contract before returning to practice on Tuesday.
By cutting Forsett, the Ravens were able to carry defensive lineman Carl Davis and safety Matt Elam on their initial 53-man roster. Davis and Elam were put on injured reserve Monday, which means one of them can secure a “designated to return” tag later in the season.
Forsett, 30, was a backup in his first six NFL seasons before blooming into a star with Baltimore in 2014.
On his Twitter account, Forsett wrote Monday: “Ok now it’s official I’m back baby!!”
The Ravens also announced Monday that kick returner Devin Hester signed a one-year contract.