NFL Files Complaint, Claims NFLPA Advised RBs to Exaggerate Injuries

The NFL has filed a complaint against the NFL Players Association, alleging that union leaders, including president JC Tretter, have advised running backs to “consider faking or exaggerating injuries” to help increase their leverage in contract negotiations. .

The complaint was filed on September 11 and will be reviewed by an arbitrator.

In a memo sent to the executive committee of the league’s management board 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 followed the union’s advice and faked an injury would be violating the collective bargaining agreement, the league argued.

“This conduct is a clear violation of the union’s agreement to use ‘best efforts to faithfully carry out the terms and conditions of the (CBA)’ and ‘to ensure that the terms and conditions of all NFL player contracts are complied with in entirely by players,'” the memo said. “The union’s conduct is also reckless as any player who decides to follow this advice and improperly withhold services under his player contract will be subject to discipline and financial responsibility under the collective bargaining agreement, club rules and/or player contract “.

The league’s complaint seeks for the union to “cease and desist from such inappropriate conduct, as well as such other remedies as the arbitrator may deem appropriate.”

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 running back Jonathan Taylor has been involved in a contract dispute and was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the season because he is recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

Tretter spoke openly about the contract issues running backs face on former NFL player Ross Tucker’s podcast in July.

“You have to try to create as much influence as possible,” Tretter said. “And that’s the hard thing with the franchise tag, or being restricted in movement, is that it diminishes your influence, but then you have to find creative ways to create influence elsewhere. I think we’ve seen problems, but not now.” I don’t think anyone would say they were fake injuries, but we’ve seen players who didn’t want to be where they currently are, have injuries that prevent them from practicing and playing, but you can’t be fined, and you can’t be punished for not reporting.

“So there are issues like that. I don’t think I’d ever be allowed to recommend that, at least publicly, but I think every player needs to find a way to generate leverage to try to get a fair deal. And that’s really what all of these guys are looking for: to receive fair compensation.