Meeting on Goodell rejected

The NFL has rebuffed a request by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to call a special owners’ meeting in less than two weeks to discuss the negotiations to extend Commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract.

The request for an emergency meeting was the latest gambit by Jones to derail the negotiations, which have gone on for nearly six months and are largely complete. Jones had been a nonvoting member of the compensation committee, which is handling the contract discussions, but he was removed two weeks ago because he threatened to sue the NFL and the other six committee members if they did not halt the negotiations.

Jones has been trying to impede the negotiations since mid-August, when Goodell suspended Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. But Jones’ threat to sue the league and his fellow owners ignited one of the most vicious intraleague fights in years, throwing the NFL into further discord while it tries to grapple with a host of other complex issues. The fight over Goodell’s contract has become so intractable that several owners have warned Jones that his efforts are hurting the league, and could prompt penalties.

Still, Jones has persisted. In a letter sent to Goodell on Thursday that was reviewed by the New York Times, Jones said he wanted to give all the owners the chance to discuss the contract negotiations in the context of “unprecedented upheaval” that has shaken the league, including declining television ratings, “increased advertiser discontent” and litigation stemming from player suspensions. Briefly: Rookie Samaje Perine is Washington’s new No. 1 running back after a season-ending injury to Rob Kelley . ... Seattle defensive back Kam Chancellor, who suffered a stinger in a victory over Arizona, hasn’t been ruled out, but seems unlikely to play Sunday . ... After missing seven games with a broken right hand, Cleveland wide receiver Corey Coleman will play when the Browns host the Jaguars on Sunday.