Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker said he and his family have received death threats since he told fans not to come to games if they felt disrespected by NFL players’ protests.
Walker shared the threats Thursday night in a social media post.
The Pro Bowl tight end, who toured the Middle East this year on the NFL’s USO Tour, called the threats ‘‘heartbreaking.’’ He said the racist and violent words both he and his son have heard are a reminder of how the country is divided and ‘‘full of hateful rhetoric.’’
Walker said the words will only drive him as he works to reach out to community groups, listen to opposing opinions, and honor members of the military who risk their lives so Americans can talk issues out safely.
QB Bradford out
Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford has been ruled out again this week because of lingering soreness in his left knee, meaning Case Keenum will make his third straight start.
Bradford hasn’t practiced with the Vikings for a week. After his latest absence from the field on Thursday, coach Mike Zimmer said again that surgery is not needed for Bradford, only rest.
Zimmer said he doesn’t think Bradford’s injury will be a long-term concern.
‘‘Day to day,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t know what day to day is. Just day to day.’’
Minnesota (2-1) hosts Detroit (2-1) on Sunday.
Bradford was declared out shortly before kickoff on Sept. 17 at Pittsburgh, then two days before the most recent game against Tampa Bay when he traveled to seek a second medical opinion on the knee.
This time, the Vikings served a three-day notice that Keenum will lead the offense. He turned in a career-best performance as the Vikings beat the Buccaneers, 34-17.
Starting right tackle Mike Remmers also missed practice, because of an illness.
Garrett practices
Myles Garrett practiced. For the Browns, that’s enough to celebrate. ‘‘We almost started to throw a little party to see him back out there,’’ defensive back James McCourty said of the top overall pick in this year’s draft. ‘‘We should have had him introduce himself to the defense again.’’ The top overall pick in this year’s draft, Garrett returned to the practice field for the first time in three weeks, increasing the possibility he could make his regular-season debut Sunday against Cincinnati. Garrett has missed Cleveland’s first three games because of a high right ankle sprain . . . Falcons receiver Julio Jones was limited for the second straight day of practice because of a sore back. The two-time All-Pro was injured on the last offensive snap of last week’s 30-26 victory at Detroit when Lions safety Glover Quin made a clean tackle . . . The Saints placed veteran fullback John Kuhn (biceps) on injured reserve, ending his season.
