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 Baltimore 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.
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay waived Roberto Aguayo, a 2016 second-round pick who struggled to perform in the NFL after a record-setting career at Florida State.
Aguayo missed an extra point and a 47-yard field goal Friday during a 23-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
He was being challenged in training camp by veteran Nick Folk, who will take over the starting job.
Aguayo ranked last in the NFL in field goal percentage as a rookie, making only 22 of 31 attempts. He didn’t make a field goal longer than 43 yards, and missed two extra points.
BRONCOS: Denver may have dodged a huge hit to its battered defensive line: Derek Wolfe’s right ankle injury apparently isn’t as serious as first thought.
“Great news,” cornerback Aqib Talib said. “I was praying as soon as it happened that it was just a sprain and nothing serious.”
The sixth-year defensive end was carted off the field after he got tangled up with right tackle Menelik Watson on the second snap of team drills Saturday. Watson got up on his own, uninjured, while a cart was summoned for Wolfe.
Coach Vance Joseph said after practice it was a lower ankle injury.
“We’re not sure how bad. We’re kind of assuming it’s not that bad,” Joseph said. “At first look it wasn’t serious, but we’ll know more tomorrow.”
WASHINGTON: Linebacker Trent Murphy, the team’s top draft pick in 2014, was placed on injured reserve because of a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.
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