Eric Reid Reflects On Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Status Amid Quarterback Injuries

North Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid deplored the fact that Colin Kaepernick hasn’t been tapped to return to the NFL this season even as a series of quarterbacks have been sidelined by injuries.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Reid listed current quarterbacks who have recently sustained injuries, including the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger, the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees and Reid’s teammate Cam Newton, who suffered a foot injury in a preseason game in August.

“It happens every year. … [The league has] been bringing quarterbacks out of retirement ― guys who have said ‘I don’t want to play football anymore’ have gotten calls about playing football and Colin hasn’t,” Reid told reporters.

“We’ll see if it will be different this time,” he added.

The New York Jets announced earlier this week that its third-string quarterback, Luke Falk, will start Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots while the team’s starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, recovers from mono.

Kaepernick, who famously led peaceful protests against social injustice by kneeling during the playing of the national anthem at NFL games, has remained unsigned by a team since he became a free agent after the 2016 season. The NFL has been widely accused of blackballing the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback for his protests.