NFL-National Football League roundup

Nov 16 (The Sports Xchange) - Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson denied that he refused to attend a scheduled disciplinary hearing with the NFL, claiming the league is being unfair and violating the collective bargaining agreement. ESPN reported Saturday that Peterson failed to attend Friday's hearing, which is different and considered more significant than the conference call scheduled for 2 p.m. ET Monday in which Peterson's grievance related to his being on the commissioner's exempt list will be heard. The Friday meeting would have determined Peterson's discipline from the league going forward related to his child-abuse case. Peterson released a lengthy statement through the NFL Players' Association Sunday. "The report that I backed out of a meeting with the NFL is just not true," Peterson said. "When Roger Goodell's office asked that I attend the 'hearing' on Friday, I consulted with my union and learned that this 'hearing' was something new and inconsistent with the CBA. "On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this past week, my union sent emails, letters, and had conversations with (Goodell's) office on my behalf asking about the nature of the hearing, how it was to occur, who would participate, and its purpose. We repeatedly asked them to respond quickly to my questions because I want to cooperate and get back on the field, but they didn't respond until late Wednesday evening, and even then they didn't answer important questions about their proposed 'hearing.' "After consulting with the union, I told the NFL that I will attend the standard meeting with the commissioner prior to possible imposition of discipline, as has been the long-term practice under the CBA, but I wouldn't participate in a newly created and non-collectively bargained pre-discipline 'hearing' that would include outside people I don't know and who would have roles in the process that the NFL wouldn't disclose." - - - The NFL investigated a roster move by the New Orleans Saints, according to ESPN, but the league cleared the team of wrongdoing. The league wanted to find out if the Saints illegally kept linebacker Todd Davis in their training facility after releasing him to prevent the Denver Broncos from claiming him on waivers. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the NFL issued a statement, saying, "The Saints have been in compliance with league rules with regard to this situation." - - - Tennessee Titans tight end Chase Coffman was fined $30,000 for knocking down a Baltimore Ravens assistant on the sideline after an interception last Sunday, according to Fox Sports. - - - The Denver Broncos lost tight end Julius Thomas and running back Montee Ball with injuries Sunday. Thomas sprained an ankle in the first half and was ruled out. Ball, in his first action in more than a month, went to the sideline in the first quarter with a groin injury. Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was knocked out of the game in the third quarter. - - - Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl center Max Unger was carted off the field with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. Unger returned for Week 10 but had missed four of the previous five games. - - - Washington Redskins Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams was taken to the locker room for further tests on a sprained right knee. (Editing by Gene Cherry)