Richie Incognito on Thursday filed a non-football injury grievance against the Miami Dolphins, seeking to collect the pay he stands to lose as a result of his suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the team may suspended a player for detrimental conduct for a maximum of four games plus an additional paycheck. While it was reported that Incognito was indefinitely suspended, that is not possible under the CBA. Incognito’s lost wages, if he were to receive the full allowable suspension, would amount to $1.276 million.
The NFL Players Association released the following statement Thursday about Incognito’s grievance:
Richie Incognito filed a non-injury grievance against his employer, the Miami Dolphins, pursuant to his rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The grievance challenges his suspension for conduct which was alleged to have occurred while he was with the club. In the grievance, Incognito requests that the hearing be held on an expedited basis so that he can immediately resume playing for the team. The NFL Players Association will continue to protect the rights of all players.
The hearing would be held before an independent arbitrator. The Dolphins would be required to release or reinstate Incognito following the team’s Dec. 1 game against the Jets.
In the meantime, Dolphins Jonathan Martin is scheduled to meet with the Ted Wells, the NFL’s independent investigator on Friday.
