More than 4,500 retired players brought a class action suit against the NFL for permanent brain injuries they suffered on the field. Sides agreed to a $765 million settlement on Thursday, which ensures the NFL will not have to endure years of litigation, while needy players will get funds to assist with their medical treatment.
NFL news: League settles lawsuit with retired players, Barkevious Mingo gets a return date
The NFL has avoided a lengthy legal proceeding by settling with retired players for $765 million.
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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Part of the agreement removes liability from the NFL moving forward, and does not place blame on football for injuries sustained. In exchange, the players involved in the suit will not need to show explicit proof that their medical conditions are a direct result of football-related injuries.
The payment averages out to roughly $170,000 per player, but money will be awarded based on severity of injury.
The Cleveland Browns will be without top pick Barkevious Mingo to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, but the plan is to have the outside linebacker on the field when the Browns face the division rival Baltimore Ravens. Mingo bruised his lung in his team's 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions in the second week of preseason.
Green Bay gets some salary cap relief now that kicker Mason Crosby has restructured his deal. The move converted $1.6 million in salary into roster and performance-based bonuses. Prior to the restructure, Crosby was set to be one of the league's highest-paid kickers, which didn't match his on-field performance in 2012. Crosby converted just 21 kicks on 33 attempts, en route to the lowest percentage in the NFL among full-time kickers at 64 percent.
The Browns won't have their rookie pass rusher to face the Dolphins, but Miami is getting back Dion Jordan to face Cleveland. The third overall pick missed much of the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery. The Dolphins made a significant investment in the pass rusher, trading up in the draft to secure Jordan. He'll begin this season as Miami's third-down pass-rushing specialist behind Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.
Once the prize of NFL free agency, Nnamdi Asomugha's fall from grace has been precipitous. The 32-year-old cornerback isn't giving up yet, winning the San Francisco 49ers' nickelback job from Tramaine Brock.
Asomugha lasted just two years into a five-year deal signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. At that time he was viewed as one of the league's top three cornerbacks, but was unable to stand out on a dysfunctional defense. 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has said Asomugha will play a significant role in the defense this season, even in a third cornerback role.
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