Ja'Wuan James seeks $15M in grievance filed against Broncos

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

The Broncos released James in May after he tore his Achilles while training away from the team's facility. Denver deemed it a non-football injury, but the veteran lineman disagrees with the classification.

(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, who opted out of the 2020 season, also claims that Denver's facilities weren't in compliance with relevant COVID-19 guidelines.

The NFL released a memo immediately after the 29-year-old was hurt, stating that "injuries sustained while a player is working out 'on his own' in a location other than an NFL facility are considered 'non-football injuries' and are outside the scope of typical skill, injury, and cap guarantee."

James signed a four-year, $51-million deal with the Broncos in 2019, which was then a record for right tackles. Denver will get a chance to defend itself and respond to his grievance.

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