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Grievance filed by NFL says players' union leaders advised running backs to fake injuries

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Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

FILE -Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. The NFL has filed a grievance against the NFL Players Association, alleging that union leaders, including President JC Tretter, have advised running backs to consider feigning or exaggerating injuries to help increase their leverage in contract negotiations. The grievance was filed on Sept. 11, 2023 (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

The NFL has filed a grievance against the NFL Players Association, alleging that union leaders, including President JC Tretter, have advised running backs to ā€œconsider feigning or exaggerating injuriesā€ to help increase their leverage in contract negotiations.

The grievance was filed on Sept. 11 and will be reviewed by an arbitrator.

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In a memo sent to the leagueā€™s management council executive committee and obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL said the union made the suggestion to running backs during a Zoom meeting before the season.

Any player who took the union's advice and faked an injury would be violating the collective bargaining agreement, the league argued.

ā€œThis conduct is a clear violation of the unionā€™s agreement to use ā€˜best efforts to faithfully carry out the terms and conditions of the (CBA)ā€™ and ā€˜to see that the terms and conditions of all NFL Player Contracts are carried out in full by players,ā€™ā€ the memo said. ā€œThe unionā€™s conduct is also reckless as any player that chooses to follow this advice and improperly withhold services under his player contract will be subject to discipline and financial liability under the CBA, club rules, and/or the playerā€™s contract.ā€

The league's grievance seeks for the union to ā€œcease and desist from such improper conduct as well as other remedies that the arbitrator may deem appropriate.ā€

Giants star running back Saquon Barkley and Raiders All-Pro Josh Jacobs refused to sign their $10.1 million franchise tags and were unhappy about not getting long-term contracts.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has been involved in a contract dispute and was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the season because heā€™s recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

Tretter spoke openly about the contract issues running backs are facing on former NFL player Ross Tuckerā€™s podcast in July.

ā€œYou need to try to create as much leverage as you possibly can,ā€ Tretter said. ā€œAnd thatā€™s the tough thing with the franchise tag, or being restricted in movement, is it decreases your leverage, but then you have to find creative ways to build leverage elsewhere. I think weā€™ve seen issues ā€” now, I donā€™t think anybody would say they were fake injuries, but weā€™ve seen players who didnā€™t want to be where they currently are, have injuries that made them unable to practice and play, but youā€™re not able to get fined, and youā€™re not able to be punished for not reporting.

ā€œSo there are issues like that. I donā€™t think Iā€™m allowed to ever recommend that, at least publicly, but I think each player needs to find a way to build up leverage to try to get a fair deal. And thatā€™s really what all these guys are looking for, is to be compensated fairly.ā€

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl


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