NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Thursday that Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito has filed a grievance against the team, per union sources. It is a non-football injury grievance.
The grievance will be heard by an independent arbitrator.
This is a logical next step for the Dolphins' locker room story following a few quiet days. The lawyers are about to take center stage.
Incognito was suspended indefinitely by Miami on Nov. 3 for conduct detrimental to the team after a voice mail surfaced in which Incognito used a racial slur and threatened violence against estranged offensive tackle Jonathan Martin. The NFL is investigating the Dolphins' workplace. Martin is scheduled to meet with NFL investigator Ted Wells on Friday in New York.
Incognito loses $235,294 every game he's suspended.
The maximum a player can be suspended by a team for detrimental conduct is four games, per league rules. For a suspension to last longer than that, it must be a league-mandated suspension.
The independent arbitrator theoretically could overturn the suspension, which would force the Dolphins to decide whether or not they want to release Incognito.
UPDATE: The NFL Players Association released a statement Thursday addressing the grievance filed by Incognito.
"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."
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