OT Ja'Wuan James seeking $15 million in grievance filed against Broncos

Offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James filed a grievance against the Denver Broncos on Monday looking to recover his $10 million salary for the 2021 season and $5 million in guarantees for 2022, according to a copy of the report obtained by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. 

The Broncos released James last month after he tore his Achilles while training away from the team facility. Denver called it a non-football injury, but James disagrees. 

"(James) was not working out on his own," the grievance reads. "(James) was working out as expressly and/or impliedly authorized and/or instructed by respondent's agents, including but not limited to the instructions and/or direction of the coach of respondent and/or other agents of respondent.

"(James) was working out with other players on the team at the facility and mentoring younger players as requested and/or expressly and/or impliedly authorized by respondent through its agent and/or agents."

James also says that the Broncos facilities weren't in compliance with the NFL's COVID-19 guidelines.

After the veteran lineman tore his Achilles, the NFL released a statement saying that all injuries sustained while a player is working out "on his own" in a location other than a league facility are considered "non-football injuries."

The 29-year-old signed a four-year, $51 million deal with the Broncos in 2019. He previously played for the Miami Dolphins from 2014-18 after being drafted by the club 19th overall in 2014.