Fournette grievance fuels battle

Cut running back to seek $ 4.1 million

Running back Leonard Fournette reportedly filed a grievance Tuesday against the Jacksonville Jaguars to try to recoup the $ 4,167,000 in base salary that the team voided.

Fournette became a free agent Monday after Jacksonville waived him Monday and he went unclaimed.

Jacksonville voided all remaining guarantees in Fournette’s rookie deal late in 2018. The void only came into play because the Jaguars parted ways with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft.

The Jaguars took the unusual action after Fournette’s one- game suspension for fighting with Buffalo Bills linebacker Shaq Lawson in November 2018.

Then- Jaguars personnel chief Tom Coughlin publicly ripped Fournette weeks later for being “disrespectful” and “selfish” for sitting on the bench while injured and inactive during the season finale. Coughlin tried to fine Fournette an entire game check — around $ 99,000 — for his actions that day, but it eventually was rescinded.

Bengals

Joe Mixon and Cincinnati reportedly agreed to a fouryear, $ 48 million extension that will keep the running back under contract with the Bengals for five more seasons.

Lions

Taylor Decker agreed to a six- year, $ 85 million deal with Detroit that includes $ 37.5 million guaranteed, agent Jonathan Feinsod confirmed. Decker joined the Lions as a first- round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2016. He became the first Detroit rookie offensive tackle to start all 16 games since 2001. In four seasons, he has played in 55 games for the Lions.

Saints

The New Orleans’ chances of welcoming fans to their second home game Sept. 27 against Green Bay improved after Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said that he has provided conditional approval from the state. But the city also must approve the Saints plan to host fans in Mercedes- Benz Superdome in Week 3 of the NFL season. The club already has announced that no fans will be admitted to New Orleans’ home opener Sept. 13 against Tampa Bay.

Elsewhere

The NFL updated its gameday protocols by requiring every coach and staff member in the bench area to wear a mask and reducing the size of each team’s travel party. Owners also will have to follow COVID- 19 testing requirements to gain access to the locker room, field or team charter.