The NFL Players Association filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, requesting that the court dismiss arbitrator Harold Henderson's decision to uphold the NFL discipline.
The petition was filed Monday in Minnesota.
Peterson is suspended without pay for the remainder of the season and ineligible to seek reinstatement until April 15 due to a no contest misdemeanor plea in a child abuse case.
Peterson beat his four-year-old son with a wooden switch.
The union is arguing that Henderson was biased in his decision and that he didn't properly apply the collective bargaining agreement.
"This is a part of something that is bigger than just Adrian Peterson, Troy Vincent, Ray Rice," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said. "This is another instance in which the National Football League will say anything on one day and do anything on another day to try to support a position that at this point is completely devoid of any rationality."
Follow me on Twitter: @RavensInsider
Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun