Two players watched the anthem from the tunnel while another remained in the locker room entirely ahead of Thursday’s matchup.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs Malcolm Jenkins and De’Vante Bausby remained in the tunnel during the national anthem before the Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots, a week after raising their fists in protest in the exhibition opener.
Defensive lineman Michael Bennett remained in the locker room Thursday night, NBC Philadelphia reported on Twitter. A picture tweeted by the station showed Jenkins and Bausby bowing their heads as they looked out toward the field.
Jenkins and Bennett have been among the most vocal NFL players protesting racial inequality during the pregame playing of the « Star-Spangled Banner. » The NFL Network tweeted a video of Jenkins coming out for warmups wearing a shirt that said, « YOU AREN’T LISTENING. »
There were no player protests before the other two preseason games: Jets-Redskins in Landover, Maryland, and Steelers-Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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2018 NFL preseason
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2018 NFL preseason
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9: The New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins face off during their preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 9,2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Aug 9,2018; Seattle, WA, USA; Members of the Indianapolis Colts stand during the national anthem before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson kneel during the national anthem as they prepare to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 9,2018. The Bucs won, 26-24. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 09: Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles raises his fist during the national anthem as Chris Long #56 puts his arm around him prior to the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on August 9,2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Eagles 31-14. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 09: New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) lines up wide during a preseason NFL game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins on August 9,2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 26-17. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 09: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass down field during the first half against the Houston Texans on August 9,2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans looks to pass during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 9,2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 09: Darius Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Titans catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 9,2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9: Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (12), left, hits running back Byron Marshall (34) for a 1st quarter touchdown pass during a pre-season game between the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots in at Gillette Stadium Foxborough, MA on August 9,2018. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 09: Eagles QB Joe Callahan (3) loses the football while being brought down by Steelers LB Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (92) during the NFL Preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 09: Steelers WR Damoun Patterson (83) checks in at the line during the NFL Preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne throws in the second quarter against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Aug. 9,2018, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images)
Aug 9,2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) rushes against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9,2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rod Smith (45) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9,2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Christian Scotland-Williamson (49) is hit by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (50) in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9,2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Ralph Webb (22) dives for the two point conversion against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9,2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Elijah Campbell (43) watches New York Giants running back Jalen Simmons (34) fly through the air on a tackle by defensive back Montrel Meander (30) (not pictured) during second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 09: Houston Texans huddle during the NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on August 9,2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 09: Jermaine Carter #56 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the second half at New Era Field on August 9,2018 in Orchard Park, New York.
