Raiders’ Brown loses his grievance over helmet
Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown lost his grievance with the NFL on Monday over his use of an old helmet that is no longer certified as safe to use for practice or play.
The arbitrator issued the ruling after holding a hearing last Friday with Brown, representatives from the league and the players' union.
“While I disagree with the arbitrator's decision, I'm working on getting back to full health and looking forward to rejoining my teammates on the field,” Brown said in a statement on Twitter. “I'm excited about this season appreciate all the concerns about my feet.”
Brown has not participated in a full practice for the Raiders after starting training camp on the non-football injury list with injuries to his feet that reportedly came from frostbite suffered while getting cryotherapy treatment in France. Brown was cleared to practice on July 28 and participated in part of two sessions but wasn't around the team last week when he had the grievance hearing with the NFL over his helmet.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy earlier in the day reiterated the league's stance that Brown wouldn't be allowed to practice or play without a certified helmet.
“The player can't practice or play in games with equipment that's not approved,” McCarthy wrote. “If he doesn't play or practice he is in breach of his contract and doesn't get paid. NFL policy is that helmets have to be certified by NOSCAE. They don't certify equipment that's (older) than 10 years.”
Browns’ Thomas hurts neck: Cleveland Browns defensive end Chad Thomas was immobilized on the field and taken to a hospital after suffering a neck injury Monday during training camp.
A team spokesman said Thomas, a third-round pick in 2018, was taken to University Hospitals for further evaluation and testing. He had movement and feeling in his extremities before he was transported by ambulance.
“Just precautionary,” coach Freddie Kitchens said. “Anytime something happens like a stinger or any issues like that, you want to be more cautious than anything, and that's what we're doing.”