The Latest on the NFL’s sixth Sunday of the regular season (all times Eastern):
1:25 p.m.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was carted off the field with a right shoulder injury, and the team said his return was questionable.
Rodgers took a hard hit from pass-rushing Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. Rodgers landed on his throwing arm as he fell after his second-down throw was dropped by tight end Martellus Bennett midway through the first quarter. Rodgers yelled at Barr as he walked off, but no penalty was called.
Backup Brett Hundley entered the game as Rodgers was examined inside the blue medical tent on the sideline. Rodgers was taken to the locker room on a cart.
– Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis
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1:15 p.m.
A half-dozen San Francisco players knelt during the national anthem before the team’s game at Washington – a week after about a dozen 49ers took a knee and Vice President Mike Pence left the stadium.
Safety Eric Reid, who labeled Pence’s exit a ”PR stunt,” was among the six active 49ers who knelt on their sideline.
They were joined by linebacker Dekoda Watson, who was inactive and not in uniform.
The Redskins all stood, as did most players around the NFL.
The 49ers have been among the most visible protesters in the NFL, which has found itself in a back-and-forth with President Donald Trump about standing during ”The Star-Spangled Banner.” Last year, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the movement to kneel or sit during the anthem as a way of protesting racial inequality and police brutality.
– Howard Fendrich reporting from Landover, Maryland
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1:15 p.m.
Three Miami Dolphins players were not on the field for the national anthem before their game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Wide receiver Kenny Stills, safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas jogged onto the field following the anthem performed by 15-year-old Mary Tankersley, a cancer survivor.
The three players had taken a knee in protest during the anthem in recent games. This week, Dolphins coach Adam Gase asked players to remain in the locker room or tunnel if they were not going to stand for the anthem.
All other Miami and Atlanta players stood during the anthem.
– Charles Odum reporting from Atlanta
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12:10 p.m.
The Green Bay Packers will have their starting offensive line fully intact for the first time in six games this season when they play at Minnesota. Left tackle David Bakhtiari is back from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the last four games, a key development for the Packers in trying to slow Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen and the team’s strong pass rush.
Running back Ty Montgomery has also returned, after missing the last game because of broken ribs.
The outlook on the other side of the ball isn’t as bright. Strong safety Morgan Burnett is out with a hamstring injury, as are both starting cornerbacks Davon House (quadriceps) and Kevin King (concussion). The Packers are missing two backup linebackers, too, with Ahmad Brooks (back) and Joe Thomas (ankle) on the inactive list.
– Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis
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The NFL’s sixth Sunday features a surprising matchup for first place in the AFC East, as the Patriots face the Jets, both 3-2.
That early afternoon slate also includes the Packers and Vikings (3-2) battling in Minnesota. A win by the Packers (4-1) can give them control of the NFC North.
Detroit (3-2) travels to New Orleans (2-2), which has won two in a row after losing the first two games of the season.
The later afternoon games include the Steelers (3-2) trying to rebound after a shocking loss to Jacksonville, but Pittsburgh will have to do that against the NFL’s last undefeated team, Kansas City (5-0).
The night game features the winless Giants at Denver (3-1).
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
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