NEW YORK (AP) — An injured left knee kept Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita from meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday regarding his role in the New Orleans bounty scandal.
Fujita is one of four current and former Saints that Goodell suspended in the case, but an appeals panel set aside the punishment. Goodell must show the basis for the discipline was inappropriate conduct — such as intent to injure — rather than any secret monetary compensation.
The commissioner met Monday with linebacker Jonathan Vilma and was supposed to meet with the three other players on Tuesday.
But Fujita is undergoing treatment for a knee he hurt during the preseason and couldn't come to New York, the NFLPA said Tuesday. He requested a video conference but the league rejected that idea. NFL officials wanted face-to-face meetings and plan to reschedule the session with Fujita.
Fujita did not play in the season opener against Philadelphia because his suspension was only lifted two days before the game, and he wasn't able to practice on his knee, which he injured last month in an exhibition game against Detroit.
The 33-year-old made his season debut Sunday in Cincinnati. He started at strongside linebacker and was credited with four tackles in 36 plays during the Browns' 34-27 loss to the Bengals.
