NFL notebook: NFLPA foresees 2021 work stoppage

Aug 18, 2017 - 4:06 AM The NFL's collective bargaining agreement expires in four years, and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith believes there will be a work stoppage in 2021.

"I think that the likelihood of either a strike or a lockout is almost a virtual certainty," Smith said in a video interview posted on the MMBQB/Sports Illustrated website on Thursday.

Owners locked out players for 132 days in 2011 until the current 10-year CBA was signed on July 25, 2011.

Since the agreement was signed, the players association has clashed with the league in notable cases such as Ezekiel Elliott's suspension for alleged domestic violence, Tom Brady's Deflategate suspension and Adrian Peterson's suspension for child abuse.



--The reinstatement of suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon is not on the immediate agenda of Roger Goodell, the commissioner announced.

Goodell offered his stance when asked about Gordon at a fan forum in Cleveland.

The league denied Gordon's reinstatement petition on May 11, two months after the embattled 26-year-old wideout filed papers to have his indefinite suspension lifted.

Goodell reinstated Gordon on a conditional basis last season, but the Pro Bowl receiver checked into the rehab facility in September and put his career on hold. Gordon spent 30 days in a New Hampshire facility.



--Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly will be sidelined indefinitely after he undergoes a medical procedure on his foot.

Kelly was initially sidelined during the Colts' joint practices with Detroit last week and was held out of the Lions' preseason game last week. The injury was not thought to be serious at the time and he had been wearing a walking boot since incurring the injury. There is no timetable for his return although Kelly is expected to miss the start of the regular season.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the surgery is scheduled for Friday and will be to repair a bone defect in his foot.



--Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton didn't take part in the scrimmage situations during the first day of joint workouts with the Tennessee Titans, but he was involved in some 7-on-7 drills when the teams gathered for the second of those workouts Thursday.

So, while there has been progress shown as he comes back following offseason shoulder surgery, there continues to be an incomplete sample.

The Panthers play their second preseason game Saturday when they take on the Titans in Nashville, Tenn.



--Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension, multiple outlets reported.

The deal is worth $27 million with Britt collecting $13.25 million in the first year, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Britt started 16 games as a rookie at right tackle after being selected with a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. The 26-year-old was later shuffled to guard and then center, where he started 15 games a season ago.



--Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls will sit out Friday's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings with an ankle injury.

Coach Pete Carroll made the announcement on Thursday and named Eddie Lacy as the team's starter for that contest.

Rawls was given the nod ahead of Lacy for last week's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. He rushed two times for five yards.



--The San Francisco 49ers signed linebacker Shayne Skov to a one-year contract.

Skov recorded two defensive tackles in 24 games over three seasons with the 49ers and 12 more on special teams. The 27-year-old San Francisco native was waived by the club on May 2.

Skov collected 355 tackles, 17 sacks and five forced fumbles during his college career with Stanford.



--Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison told reporters that he has no issue playing in what amounts to a relief role this season.

Harrison's comment came on the heels of outside linebackers coach Joey Porter telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Steelers Nation Radio this week that the team plans to use rookie T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree as primary pass rushers.

"I'll be fine, whatever they want me to do," Harrison said on Wednesday. "Whatever they want, I'm good."



--The holdout of Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald moved into the third week, with reports that he could be so entrenched in this contract dispute into the regular season.

So, what originally seemed a mild distraction is moving in a more serious direction.

"Our approach is exactly the same, we're continuing to try and find a solution," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "He's a very important part of what we want to do. In the meantime, we've got a lot of great guys out here that are working hard and getting ready for this Oakland game, and just approaching every single day with the situations that we're throwing at them."



--Former New England Patriots nose tackle Lester Williams died on Wednesday at his home in Birmingham, Ala., the team announced.

The Patriots did not divulge the cause of death for Williams, who was 58.

Williams started for New England in Super Bowl XX and recorded 99 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries during his four-year stint with the Patriots (1982-85).



--The Cleveland Browns are partnering with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission to submit a bid to host the NFL Draft in either 2019 or 2020.

The contingent delivered its application to league headquarters in New York last week. The 2019 draft would celebrate the league's 100th season, or its centennial in 2020. The league was formed in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, on Aug. 20, 1920.

Kansas City officially also announced that they are interested in hosting an NFL Draft.