RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that he supported Michael Bennett’s decision to sit during the national anthem while also saying he believes players should stand.

Bennett’s actions were a primary topic of conversation for Carroll two days after Bennett sat on the bench during the anthem before the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bennett didn’t inform Carroll or his teammates of his decision to sit while the rest of the Seahawks stood locked arm-in-arm on the sideline Sunday.

“It’s easy for me to support him in his issues. But I think we should all be standing up when we’re playing the national anthem,” Carroll said.

Bennett said the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, including the death of a woman who was struck by a car deliberately driven into a group of counter-protesters, solidified his decision.

“I can appreciate a man that no matter what the circumstances are, no matter what people are going to think, no matter what people are going to say, his morals and what he thinks is right to him, he’s going to stand up for it,” teammate Cliff Avril said.

VIKINGS: Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell returned to practice following a two-week absence caused by a hamstring injury.

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Treadwell took his first turns in full-team drills since July 31, when he was last seen in a scuffle with safety Antone Exum. Treadwell said he hopes to be able to play with the Vikings in their exhibition game Friday night at Seattle.

LIONS: Detroit put defensive end Kerry Hyder on injured reserve after he hurt his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s preseason game at Indianapolis.

Coach Jim Caldwell said after that game that the injury looked “significant.” Detroit also put running back Mike James on IR because of concussion problems and waived guard Matt Rotheram.

JETS: Wide receiver Lucky Whitehead has a broken foot and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Coach Todd Bowles said Whitehead was injured during practice Monday and it’s uncertain whether he will need surgery. Bowles said he didn’t know if Whitehead will be out for the year, saying only that it will be at least “a little while.”

PANTHERS: Carolina signed outside linebacker Thomas Davis to a one-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2018 season.

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Davis, 34, returned from three torn ACLs in the same knee earlier in his career to become one of the league’s best linebackers, earning All-Pro in 2015 while helping the Panthers reach the Super Bowl.

BETH MOWINS will become the first woman to call NFL play-by-play for CBS.

Mowins will team with former NFL kicker Jay Feely for her debut Sept. 24 when Cleveland plays at Indianapolis.

EAGLES: Philadelphia released Ryan Mathews after the former Pro Bowl running back was cleared to return to football activities following neck surgery.

Mathews played two seasons with the Eagles after spending his first five years in San Diego. He had 1,200 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns for Philadelphia.

CHARGERS: Linebacker Denzel Perryman is likely to be out for at least two months after injuring his ankle in the preseason opener.

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Perryman had surgery on his left ankle.

DOLPHINS: Cornerback Tony Lippett will miss the season with a torn Achilles tendon, the latest injury for the team during a training camp that has taken a heavy toll.

Coach Adam Gase said Lippett will require surgery after being hurt Monday in practice. He said Lippett was injured while jumping and without being touched.

BILLS: Left tackle Cordy Glenn is listed as week to week after receiving an injection to treat a sore left foot that bothered him all offseason.

Glenn has missed five of Buffalo’s past eight practices and the preseason-opening 17-10 loss to Minnesota. He also missed a series of spring practices.


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