02-18-2021, 12:10 PM
(02-18-2021, 11:48 AM)fredtoast Wrote: I admit I don't know all the details about this. Certainly players are allowed to seek second opinions and regarding treatment, but I would guess that team still has final say on what a player has to do to play.
I just can't imagine a situation where a team doctor says a player needs a cast or brace in order to play and the player being allowed to say he doesn't. Cordy Glenn was fined by the Bengals when he refused to accept the decision of team doctors on his ability to play.
Mandatory knee braces to prevent injuries could be an issue that needs to be resolved in the CBA. But as it stands right now I assume teams could make players wear them in order to play.
Nope, CBA specifically leaves the final say up to the player. The kicker? The team has to pay for the surgery/care from the second opinion even if they don't agree.
As for Glenn, he was actually fined for missing practices, not traveling, etc. This came on the heels after he returned to practice and got into a fight with a coach over feeling rushed back. That being said there is no indication, at least reported, that he ever sought out a second opinion. The NFL has very specific rules for returning to the field after a concussion so it would seem if he did actually have a second opinion counter to that of the team's medical staff a grievance would have been filed. When Glenn had issues with his foot in Buffalo he got a second opinion, so he is well versed in the process.
It may be possible to require it, but I don't think it would be under the guise of a medical claim you had laid out earlier. I think it could fall under the equipment rules and requirements, however, I think much like everything with the CBA if a player absolutely didn't want to wear them they could file a grievance and the team would probably just say it isn't worth it.
