(Reuters) - Trevor Siemian has been given the tough task of replacing five-time league MVP Peyton Manning at the helm of the Denver offense but the unheralded quarterback looked up for the job on Thursday in a Super Bowl rematch against Carolina to open the NFL season.

Sept 9 (Gracenote) - Standings from the NFL on Thursday

In the NFL's kickoff game, C.J. Anderson ran for a score and caught another in the fourth quarter, and the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 21-20 on Thursday night in a Super Bowl rematch.

Sept 8 (Reuters) - Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall knelt during the U.S. national anthem ahead of the NFL's season opener on Thursday in the latest player protest against racial injustice and police brutality.

Sept 8 (The Sports Xchange) - New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski could be on the sideline Sunday night for the first game of the 2016 season against the Arizona Cardinals.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Former San Francisco 49er Bruce Miller was charged on Thursday with seven felonies including assault with a deadly weapon, described by prosecutors as a cane, in connection with a fight that sent an elderly man and the man's son to a hospital.

(Reuters) - Former National Football League quarterback Tim Tebow has been signed by the New York Mets to a minor league baseball contract, the team said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - The Washington Spirit women's soccer team on Wednesday played the U.S. national anthem while players were still in their locker rooms, preventing visiting star Megan Rapinoe from continuing her protest for social equality.

(Reuters) - The Denver Broncos have agreed on a new three-year contract with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, the team said on Wednesday.