NFL

Steph Curry is disgusted that Colin Kaepernick is still in the unemployment line ... and he's got a message for all the NFL teams refusing to sign him -- FREE KAEP.

Steph was in attendance for the 49ers vs. Panthers game at Levi's Stadium ... and shared a photo of the field with a #FreeKaep caption.

This statement comes a day after Curry spoke about Kaep deserving an NFL roster spot ... adding that his national anthem protests "shook up the world ... for the better."

“He definitely should be in the NFL," Steph told The Charlotte Observer.

"If you’ve been around the NFL, the top 64 quarterbacks, and he’s not one of them? Then I don’t know what game I’m watching."

As for Kaep ... the former Niners QB was social media silent on Sunday -- but his Know Your Rights Camp account posted messages urging fans to boycott the NFL.

The NFL isn't giving up in the fight to punish Ezekiel Elliott -- the league has just filed court docs to appeal the preliminary injunction that had been awarded to the Dallas Cowboys running back last week.

The point of filing the appeal ... the league wants to enforce the 6-game suspension as soon as possible, ideally this season -- and the appeal is the best way to try and get that result.

So, what's next? The NFL will file more papers detailing why they think the judge who handed out the preliminary injunction got it wrong. Elliott will then respond to those arguments.

Eventually, a 3 judge panel will likely hear the appeal. The panel could reverse the decision which would give the NFL the power to enforce the suspension ASAP.

According to our lawyer (hey, he went to Harvard), it's possible the decision could be reached by the end of the season.

Mike Ditka's not lightening up on NFL players who don't stand for the national anthem ... unless calling them disrespectful troublemakers nobody will remember is considered lightening up.

We asked Da Coach how he feels about anthem protests on the 16th anniversary of 9/11.

Iron Mike concedes players have the right to do what they want to do ... but thinks 9/11 is different and believes most will stand for Old Glory.

As for the "malcontents" ... Ditka says just let them be and move on -- they'll be forgotten.

Big win for Ezekiel Elliott -- who was just granted a preliminary injunction from a federal judge in Texas ... which blocks the NFL from imposing his 6-game suspension ... at least for now.

What does it mean -- Zeke will likely play the entire NFL season without missing a single game.

The NFL Player's Association had filed the lawsuit on behalf of Elliott, claiming the Dallas Cowboys star did not get a fair hearing in front of the arbitrator in his appeal of the domestic violence punishment.

The judge agreed ... saying there was a "cloud of fundamental unfairness" in the proceedings. The judge didn't think it was fair for Elliott to be punished with that cloud looming.

The judge points out two "gross errors" in the arbitration -- which were the decision to not include the accuser, Tiffany Thompson, and NFL commish, Roger Goodell, as witnesses.

So, what happens next?

The NFL will likely file an emergency motion challenging the court's ruling. The chances the NFL wins that are slim.

Elliott and the NFLPA now have the green light to continue the legal fight to have the 6-game suspension voided altogether ... which is their ultimate goal.

That process could entail a huge, lengthy trial that could take months and months -- and until the case is settled and a judge rules on the validity of the suspension once and for all, Zeke gets to play.

Ex-K.C. Chiefs superstar Larry Johnson says Kareem Hunt could end up being the best running back in franchise history ... telling TMZ Sports the sky's the limit for the budding rookie.

We spoke with the 2-time Pro Bowler about Hunt's breakout 246-yard, 3 TD performance against the Patriots on Thursday ... and L.J. says the kid is destined for legendary status ... as long as the team stays together.

"I just hope that the business side of Kansas City doesn't screw it up for him."

Johnson says it "brings a tears to (his) eyes" to see Hunt performing so well in his old #27 jersey ... and says he's a serious contender for Rookie of the Year.

Mike Vick has a message for his friend, Calvin Pryor -- if you wanna stay in the league, STOP FIGHTING!

Vick and Pryor played together on the NY Jets in 2014 -- and Vick says he's his "little homie" -- so we had to ask about the fight that led to Pryor getting the axe in Cleveland.

MV7 says game week can turn players a little more agro than usual -- but he's gotta temper the temper if he wants to stay employed ... and Vick knows that from experience.

"We take conduct serious, and the coaches I always played for always stressed that," Vick says. "Not under Andy Reid, or Rex Ryan, or Mike Tomlin, or Jim Mora or Dan Reeves."

Talk about timing ... just days after Ezekiel Elliott had his 6-game suspension upheld, the NFL has circled back to Josh Brown -- banning the admitted domestic abuser 6 more games.

The veteran kicker sat out 1 game in 2016 ... after a lengthy investigation ultimately led to his release from the NY Giants.

The big difference from Zeke -- Brown has accepted his punishment, the NFL told Adam Schefter.

"We reopened the investigation based on new info ... concluded there was a violation of our personal conduct policy and imposed 6-game suspension which he accepted without appeal," the league said.

"Timing has nothing to do with Zeke ... made no sense to hold this until Zeke was complete.”

Brown -- who's currently UNEMPLOYED -- maintains that he never hit his wife ... after being arrested in May 2015 on suspicion of domestic assault. Charges were never filed.

As for Elliott ... the Dallas Cowboys superstar is hoping to hear from a U.S. District Court judge today in Texas. The RB -- who is slated to play in Week 1 -- is seeking a temporary restraining order so he can keep suiting up.

Big fan of Kareem Hunt's insane debut on Thursday? Thank the Dallas Cowboys ... so says Michael Irvin.

The Playmaker was clearly impressed with the rookie RB after the Chiefs put the smackdown on Tom Brady and the Patriots ... telling TMZ Sports the dude WENT OFF!

So, how do the Cowboys fit in?

"What you will see now is more guys getting opportunities because of what the young guys like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott did," Irvin explained.

Terrell Owens ain't letting his NFL comeback die just cause he's "Dancing With the Stars" ... telling TMZ Sports he's still gunnin' for a roster spot.

We got T.O. in the Beverly Hills right before his 'DWTS' reveal ... and the 43-year-old doubled down on his comments from last week -- when he said it's "a joke" that he's not in the league.

"Yeah (it's a joke) ... considering the shape that I'm in."

"I'm an exception to the rule in terms of people playing well beyond their 30s."

We're not sure if Terrell's gonna get that shot -- dude hasn't seen a snap in 7 years -- but the Touchdown Dance MVP's gotta be an early favorite for 'DWTS.'

An 8 point spread is NOTHING to Tom Brady -- dude's gonna beat down the Kansas City Chiefs by WAY MORE than that ... so says a guy who played against him, Shawne Merriman.

The ex-NFL star says the New England Patriots are gonna beat KC to the tune of 30 to 13 ... more than double the spread on MyBookie.ag -- the place for all your online wagering needs.

By the way, the over/under is 48 points -- so, if you're gonna take Shawne's advice, LOW will get you DOUGH!

Kickoff is set for 5:30 PM PT -- but if you forget to plunk down before the game, MyBookie.ag offers in-game live wagering ... and they'll match your first deposit up to $1,000!

Nevada's largest police interest group is calling out Michael Bennett -- demanding the NFL take immediate action against the NFL star for "falsely" claiming they racially profiled him.

The president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association fired off a letter to NFL commish Roger Goodell -- saying:

"On behalf of the rank and file members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, I request that you conduct an investigation, and take appropriate action, into Michael Bennett's obvious false allegations against our officers."

"While the NFL may condone Bennett's disrespect for our American Flag, and everything it symbolizes, we hope the League will not ignore Bennett's false accusations against our police officers."

The LVPPA insists the officers involved in the August 27 incident had "reasonable suspicion" to believe Bennett may have been involved in a possible shooting investigation ... and they acted appropriately.

The Org. says Bennett's claims that he was detained only because he's a "black man in the wrong place at the wrong time" is "offensive to the men and women of law enforcement."

Calvin Pryor's stint in Cleveland is over -- the former 1st-round draft pick has been CUT by the Browns after allegedly fighting one of his teammates before practice this week.

The Browns had traded for Pryor during the off-season -- grabbing him from the NY Jets in exchange for linebacker Demario Davis.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo says the fight was with WR Ricardo Louis. Coach Hue Jackson says the issue is an "internal matter." The story was first reported by Ian Rapoport.

Jackson says there are no plans to release Louis.

Remember that kid who singlehandedly sniffed out the SCUMBAG who stole Tom Brady's Super Bowl jersey??

Well, Robert Kraft definitely does ... and he just hooked that dude up with FRONT ROW TICKETS!!

Remember, 19-year-old Dylan Wagner was the guy who figured out it was Mauricio Ortega who jacked Tom's uniform and passed the tip to police ... which led to that raid in Mexico.

Well, Thursday morning Wagner got a personal visit from Pats owner Bob Kraft -- who came bearing some serious thank-you gifts.

Among the goods, Kraft presented Wagner with tix to NE's home opener against the Chiefs (seat #12, seriously) and an autographed (not stolen) Tom Brady Jersey.

He also got a pair of Robert Kraft Air Force 1s (which were released Thursday) -- which run $140 a pair.

As for Ortega ... anyone ever hear from that guy??

Reunited and it feels so goooood!

Tony Romo and Jerry Jones were back on the same team Wednesday night -- hanging out together at a Dallas steakhouse ... and TMZ Sports has the pic!

Here's the thing ... our Dallas sources tell us Romo and Jones arrived to Nick & Sam's separately with different parties -- but immediately noticed each other and had a friendly hello.

The best part ... it was Jerry who went to Tony's table to say hi -- and the two joked around like old friends.

It ain't over yet for Colin Kaepernick ... so says NFL commish Roger Goodell who says he thinks the QB will get another shot to make an NFL roster.

Goodell appeared on FS1's 'First Things First' and was asked straight-up if he was "troubled" by the fact Colin's not on a roster while other QB's like Joe Webb have jobs.

"I want to see everyone get an opportunity, including Colin," Goodell said ... "but those decisions are made by football people."

"I don't make those decisions. I'm not a football expert."

Chargers star lineman Russell Okung is calling out NFL owners, telling TMZ Sports it's high time they get involved in social issues that affect the players' lives, and stop sitting on the sidelines.

Okung's good friend, Michael Bennett, has accused the Las Vegas Metro PD of racial profiling and excessive force for an incident after the McGregor fight, though Okung says Bennett will be just fine.

"I know he's an overcomer, he'll get past this."

What Russell seemed more concerned with was how to address the real and perceived social inequalities that lead to situations like Bennett's ... and he called on the NFL owners to help.

"We definitely need people to get away from the neutrality of it, I think our owners really need to address what's going on and discuss the issues and how we can move on from them."

BTW -- We got Russell out while his Chargers teammates were doing a food drive for the people of Houston ... NFL players certainly seem to be stepping up these days.