SHERMAN (Texas) -- La'el Collins, an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, has been denied a federal injunction to halt his five-game suspension. There is only one remaining game.
In Tuesday's ruling, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant stated that Collins was suspended by the NFL for violating the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union. Mazzant however ruled that the arbitrator's decision regarding Collins' appeal was based upon a "reasonable interpretation of the parties’ agreements."
Collins will not be eligible to play at New England Sunday because of the ruling. Collins, a seventh-year player, can be recalled to the Cowboys next week if they are not inactive. Collins could play in Week 8 against Minnesota.
In a court filing, Collins was accused of bribery by the NFL. This was in opposition to the request for a preliminary order. Collins' representatives strongly denied this and claimed that the league misled him by claiming Collins was suspended for four games, when in fact he had not.
Collins sued the NFL and its management council, as well as Roger Goodell, last week. Collins claimed that he was suspended because of the 2020 labor agreement, which no longer allows for suspensions for missed tests or positive marijuana testing. The league countered that Collins had a long history of discipline for repeat violations.
"Clearly, in a fair hearing and a fair court with a judge such as we had here, would we win hands down," stated Peter Schaffer, a player agent representing Collins. "Collins stood up against the league, knowing that he was correct. This is how the league treats its members that is why he was suspended.
Collins' first game since 2019, the day following Dallas' 31-29 defeat to Tampa Bay, the defending Super Bowl champion, was the day Collins announced his suspension. Due to hip surgery, he missed the entire season of 2018.
Four years ago, Mazzant approved Ezekiel Elliott's application for an injunction. This was to prevent a six-game suspension due to domestic violence allegations. The ruling set off a legal battle that lasted two months, which ended in Elliott's suspension.
