NEW YORK -- Spike Lee is promoting a planned rally for free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Lee tweeted an advertisement for the rally scheduled for Aug. 23 outside the NFL's headquarters in New York City. The ad misspells Kaepernick's name, omitting the first "e." Lee says on Twitter he didn't organize the protest, but adds that he supports Kaepernick and "His Stance On The Injustices In The USA."
The rally is being organized by several civil rights groups.
The former San Francisco 49er became a topic of national conversation last year for choosing to kneel instead of stand for the national anthem, citing police violence and social injustice against minorities. He parted ways with the 49ers in March and hasn't been signed by another team.
Jaguars: Team places LT Branden Albert on reserve/retired list
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars placed left tackle Branden Albert on the reserve/retired list Tuesday, essentially ending his brief and baffling tenure with the team.
The Jaguars said in a statement they made the designation four days after Albert approached team officials "about the opportunity to return to the NFL at a later date."
Placing Albert on the reserve/retired list means his contract is paused, and the Jaguars retain his rights. Albert was scheduled to make $8.8 million this season and $9.5 million in 2018.
Philadelphia Eagles
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
For Albert to play elsewhere in 2017, Jacksonville would have to waive him. Other teams would then get a chance to pick up his contract. If he cleared waivers, he would become a free agent (see full story).
Packers: Team releases DL Letroy Guion after rocky 3-plus years
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Packers have released defensive lineman Letroy Guion, ending a three-plus year tenure in Green Bay marked by off-field problems.
Guion was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Hawaii in June. In an unrelated incident, the NFL suspended him without pay for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating a policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
It was the second disciplinary action against Guion in three seasons. The league suspended him for the first three games of the 2015 season for violating its substance abuse policy.
Guion signed with the Packers in 2014 after spending six seasons with NFC North rival Minnesota. He started all 15 regular-season games and all three postseason games last year for Green Bay.
Kenny Clark, last year's first-round draft pick, already was expected to play an expanded role on the defensive line alongside Mike Daniels.
Panthers: QB Newton out for preseason opener vs. Texans
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Quarterback Cam Newton will sit out the Panthers' preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Wednesday night while he continues to battle soreness in his right throwing shoulder.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera made the announcement Tuesday at training camp.
Other that some light warmup tosses, Newton hasn't thrown at training camp since July 30.
Newton had surgery in March to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. He was cleared to participate in training camp practices this summer after missing all of OTAs and minicamp. However, the league's 2015 MVP developed soreness in his shoulder after five practices.
The Panthers plan to have Newton ready for the Sept. 10 regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
Derek Anderson will start against the Texans.
Dolphins: Cutler comeback begins at practice: 'It felt right'
DAVIE, Fla. -- Jay Cutler woke up in his hotel room Tuesday morning and didn't know where he was. Then the fog cleared, and he realized it was time to go back to work.
The Miami Dolphins' new quarterback practiced for the first time since December, marking the start of his comeback from a brief retirement. Rust removal included 11-on-11 drills and one-on-one conversations as he learns the names of teammates.
When the workout ended, the 34-year-old Cutler said he had no second thoughts about deciding to renew his working relationship with coach Adam Gase and return for another season.
"It felt right," Cutler said. "Going into work and getting here and going through the motions of the practice, it felt good. I told Adam thanks for bringing me in. It's fun to be back out here (see full story)."
