NFLPA president raises eyebrows about players faking injuries

NFL Players Association president JC Tretter suggested without directly saying running backs should consider faking injuries for contract-related reasons. 

"You need to try to create as much leverage as you possibly can," Tretter explained during an appearance on the "Ross Tucker Podcast," as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "And that’s the tough thing with the franchise tag, or being restricted in movement, is it decreases your leverage, but then you have to find creative ways to build leverage elsewhere. I think we’ve seen issues — now, I don’t think anybody would say they were fake injuries, but we’ve seen players who didn’t want to be where they currently are, have injuries that made them unable to practice and play, but you’re not able to get fined, and you’re not able to be punished for not reporting." 

Tretter offered his comments after running backs Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard failed to receive long-term contracts ahead of Monday's deadline for teams to sign franchise-tagged players to such agreements. 

While Pollard signed his franchise tag earlier this year, Barkley and Jacobs haven't yet done so and, thus, cannot be fined for skipping training camp practices. 

Tretter indicated players such as Barkley and Jacobs could protect themselves financially by signing the tags worth $10.091M guaranteed for 2023 before they claimed ahead of Week 1 they were dealing with football-related physical setbacks. 

"I don’t think I’m allowed to ever recommend that, at least publicly, but I think each player needs to find a way to build up leverage to try to get a fair deal," Tretter continued. "And that’s really what all these guys are looking for, is to be compensated fairly." 

Tretter's comments will generate headlines for multiple reasons, including the fact the NFL cracked down on players allegedly faking injuries during games just last season. It's also worth noting a player with Barkley's worrisome injury history likely wouldn't do himself many favors regarding future contract negotiations by informing would-be employers he fibbed about a previous issue. 

In the end, nothing Tretter said will immediately improve the market for veteran running backs in a system that undervalues the position. His words could, however, spark some controversy if a disgruntled ball-carrier comes down with a mysterious ailment this summer or fall.