NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 45
Injury Protection

Section 7
Extended Injury Protection Qualification

A player who has qualified for and received the Injury Protection Benefit set forth in Sections 2 and 3 above (or would have so qualified and received Injury Protection .except for the offset of his guaranteed compensation), and has a Player Contract for the second season following the season of injury shall qualify for the Extended Injury Protection Benefit if he satisfies all of the criteria below:

(a)

The player must have remained physically unable, because of the same severe football injury or injuries or Club-authorized surgery for which he qualified for the Injury Protection benefit, to play football as certified by the Club physician following a physical examination within sixty (60) days of his former Club’s last regular season game of the season following the season of injury, if such examination is requested by the player’s former Club;

(b)

The player must have continued to undergo whatever reasonable and customary rehabilitation treatment his former Club required of him. Following the physical examination referenced in Section 7(a) above, the Club may require Player to submit to a reasonable number of physical examinations. Such examinations directed by the Club may take place in the Club city or in another location designated by the Club; and

(c)

The player must have failed a physical examination given by his former Club prior to June 1st of the season for which he is seeking the Extended Injury Protection benefit. This physical must be given by either the Club physician or a physician designated by his former Club so long as the fact that the examination is being given for the purpose of determining the player’s eligibility for the Extended Injury Protection benefit is clearly communicated in writing to the player at the time of the physical exam. A Club cannot avoid Extended Injury Protection liability by failing or refusing to perform the exam in a timely manner, provided that the player cooperates in the administration of the physical examination.

(d)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, if a player qualifies for and receives the Injury Protection Benefit pursuant to this Article, and the player subsequently signs a contract with the prior Club for the second season following the season of injury, the player shall be eligible for the Extended Injury Protection Benefit applicable to that season if all other requirements are satisfied. Conversely, if the same player subsequently signs a contract with a new Club for the second season following the season of injury, the player shall not be eligible for the Extended Injury Protection Benefit under that contract.