When the national anthem controversy erupted in 2016 and became an even bigger issue for the league in 2017  Authentic Taylor Hall Jersey , the NFL made one point very clear publicly: Players have the right to kneel or otherwise demonstrate during the national anthem. Privately (and at times publicly), some of the NFL's teams have sent a very different message.

This duality has resulted in a collusion grievance from free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and a collusion grievance could (in theory) be the path that free-agent safety Eric Reid eventually chooses to follow.

Setting aside personal opinions on whether it's proper or improper to use the anthem as a mechanism for protest, as a matter of labor and employment law, it's proper for players to choose to protest during the anthem. Which means that, as a matter of labor and employment law, it's not proper for the NFL or its teams to hold protesting during the anthem against any player who chooses to protest.

Which also means that there's no legitimate reason whatsoever for any owner  Womens Esa Lindell Jersey , G.M., or coach to interrogate a potential employee/player on whether he will or won't kneel. Which means that, if it happens, it's necessarily illegitimate — no different than asking potential employees about religious beliefs, national origin, and (for female employees, obviously) whether they are or plan to become pregnant.

Again  Sammy Baugh Jersey , collusion is just a fancy word for coordination. If the teams have collectively decided, possibly with the league office as the conduit, that players who are most closely identified with kneeling (like Kaepernick and Reid) are bad for business despite the fact that kneeling can't be prohibited, that's a problem.

With the Bengals, a team that has routinely provided sanctuary to players with off-field issues, being the ones to pose clearly inappropriate questions to Reid in the apparent hope that he'll commit clearly and unequivocally to not kneeling before the Bengals will offer him a contract, the problem becomes even more glaring.

With Kaepernick  Brandon Manning Jersey , the NFL's teams had a chance to fix the problem before it got out of hand. With Reid, the window is still open. Once it closes, however, the NFL could end up with a second player claiming that the league and/or its teams are working in coordination to keep out of football one of the players who have been at the core of the issue of protests during the national anthem.

The Minnesota Vikings lost a key member of their offensive line Thursday when left guard Nick Easton was placed on injured reserve because of a bulging disc in his neck.

Coach Mike Zimmer made the announcement at a news conference. Easton hadn't practiced since Aug. 3 because of the injury. He started 12 games in 2017 and five games the year before, playing both center and guard.

Minnesota signed Easton to a one-year, $2.9 million contract in free agency. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Vikings are also missing center Pat Elflein (ankle/shoulder) and right guard Mike Remmers (ankle).

"I know everyone is nervous about our offensive line," Zimmer said. "But I like the mentality of those guys. I like how they work. I'm around them quite a bit  Womens Pavel Buchnevich Jersey , and they're going to figure out a way to get it done."

Minnesota may turn to veteran Tom Compton to replace Easton. The Vikings acquired the Minnesota native in free agency after he spent one year with the Chicago Bears. Before that, he played for the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons.

"We have kind of had him on our radar for a few years," Zimmer said. "When he was at Washington, he played quite a bit. He played some of their big package. He played some on the offensive line at multiple positions. We felt like he'd be good."

Second-year players Danny Isidora and Aviante Collins may be in the running to increase their role at guard.

Easton was acquired by the Vikings in a 2015 trade from the San Francisco 49ers. He played his way into a starting role with the Vikings but missed the playoffs last season with a broken ankle that sent him to IR. His latest injury may cost him the entire 2018 season.

"He's a tough guy that does a great job of finding a way to get his job done," Zimmer said earlier in the week.

Minnesota plays its first preseason game Saturday night against the Denver Broncos.

  Womens Carolina Panthers Jerseys