Vilma's attorneys seek injunction if suspension not lifted

Lawyers for Jonathan Vilma will ask the Eastern District Court of Louisiana for an injunction if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell does not overturn the full-season suspension for the New Orleans Saints linebacker.

Vilma has filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Goodell, and according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the player will seek an injunction in the court of Judge Helen Berrigan.

“We are writing to inform the court that, in the event Mr. Goodell does not rescind his suspension, Mr. Vilma intends to seek injunctive relief in a separate action filed in this District, which we believe would be considered a related case and assigned to your Honor pursuant to LR 3.1 and 3.1.1,” Vilma’s attorneys wrote to the court, according to the Times-Picayune.

Goodell could be announcing a decision soon regarding the appeals made by Vilma and the three other players punished in the Saints bounty scandal. In this way, Vilma’s attorneys are attempting to get ahead of the league. It’s considered unlikely that suspensions for the players will be reduced. Vilma received the most stringent penalty. He has been accused of offering a $10,000 bounty to a teammate for knocking out an opposing quarterback in the playoffs.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune