JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Shad Khan, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner, said he would be open to signing free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Speaking to the team’s flagship radio station, Khan responded “absolutely” when asked Thursday whether he would support signing Kaepernick if the team’s front office wanted to do it.

Khan’s comments were not recorded, just relayed via Twitter.

According to 1010 XL, Khan said while he would not have knelt during the national anthem to protest social injustice in the United States the way Kaepernick did, he respects the quarterback’s right to express his beliefs.

Tom Coughlin, the team’s executive vice president, has final say on personnel decisions. Coughlin declined comment Friday through a team spokesman.

49ERS: San Francisco released outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks after eight seasons with the team.

The Niners cut Brooks because they determined he wouldn’t make the roster and wanted to give him a head start on finding a new team.

BOBBY BEATHARD, a longtime general manager and personnel administrator, is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the contributors category.

Beathard helped build strong teams in stops in Kansas City (1966-67), Miami (1972-77), Washington (1978-1988) and San Diego (1990-99). He also worked for Atlanta (1968-1971).

TITANS: The team doesn’t know whether running back DeMarco Murray, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue, will make his preseason debut Sunday at home against Chicago.

Coach Mike Mularkey said, “I’ll make that decision after I watch the tape. I felt that way at this time last week, too, and by game time I made a decision.”

BROWNS: Suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon reportedly hopes to be reinstated by the NFL next month.

Gordon went to rehabilitation two months ago in cooperation with the league in hopes of returning to the field in late September, BleacherReport.com reported. It would be Gordon’s fourth known stint in rehab.

CHIEFS: Running back Spencer Ware injured his right knee and was carted off the field in the first quarter of the preseason game against Seattle.

Ware was injured about halfway through the first quarter. He remained on the turf after making a 6-yard reception on a pass from Alex Smith. Ware appeared to take an awkward step with his right leg during the play and team trainers looked at his knee while he was down. Players from both teams took a knee while Ware was examined and the Chiefs announced he wouldn’t return.

COWBOYS: Running back Ezekiel Elliott’s appeal of his six-game suspension by the NFL will be heard Tuesday in New York, and the team excused him from practice Monday and Tuesday to prepare and attend. The Cowboys also will have a representative attend.

Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that Elliott used physical force against a former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, in three incidents in July 2016. Elliott issued a statement that he strongly disagrees with the league’s findings from a year-long investigation.

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