Free-agent safety Eric Reid has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, the NFLPA confirmed Wednesday, and is being represented by Colin Kaepernick's attorney, according to ESPN.
Statement on Eric Reid Collusion Grievance pic.twitter.com/Z4eGAADCoE
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 2, 2018
As a 49ers teammate, Reid initially supported Kaepernick during the quarterback's national anthem protests and this offseason has criticized a deal struck between the NFL and some of the protesting players to end the demonstrations.
MORE: AJ Green senses new 'vibe' from Bengals |
Because he is an unsigned free agent, Reid could be seeking to make the same claim that attorney Mark Geragos has made on Kaepernick's behalf. The former 49ers QB remains unsigned and says in his grievance that NFL owners have colluded to blackball him from the league because he protested social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was deposed last month in Kaepernick's case, joining team owners such as the Texans' Bob McNair and Cowboys' Jerry Jones, as well as league VP Troy Vincent. Seahawks GM John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll reportedly also will be deposed after they canceled a scheduled meeting and workout with the former 49ers QB.
A ruling in Kaepernick's case isn't expected until later this year.
Reid, who has said he would not protest if he signs with another team, had his first known visit of the free-agency period with the Bengals, whose owner, Mike Brown, expressed concern over the player's previous protests.
