If you thought the dispute over N.F.L. players protesting during the national anthem ended last season, think again.

It’s early in the preseason, but several players have already used the anthem to make a statement, and signs are the story is not going away anytime soon. And the related controversy over Colin Kaepernick’s job status is also still brewing.

In the latest incident, Eagles defensive end Chris Long, who grew up in Charlottesville, Va., put his arm around his teammate Malcolm Jenkins, while Jenkins raised his fist during the anthem at a preseason game in Philadelphia on Thursday night. Jenkins did the same thing last season.