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Report: Incognito Files Grievance Against Dolphins

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito has officially filed a non-football injury grievance against the team over his indefinite suspension, according to reports from ESPN and NFL.com.

Incognito was suspended after the transcript of a voicemail he allegedly left for teammate Jonathan Martin was turned over to the team, along with other evidence of alleged harassment from Martin.

The contents of the messages have remained sealed, but the text from a voicemail contained Incognito using a racial slur and allegedly making threats.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFL Player's Association, the maximum number of games a player can be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team is four games.

According to ESPN.com, the suspension can include an additional game check, meaning Incognito's suspension would total up to nearly $1.3 million.

Overall, each week of his suspension costs him $235,294.12.

The Dolphins have to make a decision on Incognito in the coming weeks. Per Ben Volin of the Boston Herald, Incognito should get an expedited hearing in the next seven days.

Based on the CBA, an independent arbitrator will hear the grievance case.

If Incognito loses his grievance, the Dolphins can keep him suspended through Week 12. After that point, unless the league decides to suspend him under the Personal Conduct Policy, the Fins either have to reinstate him or release him.

He would then go through the waivers process and if a team didn't claim him, he would become an unrestricted free agent.

For his part, Martin has yet to talk to the media about the entire chain of events that led to him leaving the Dolphins more than a week ago.

Incognito is in the final year of his three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. The contract had a total worth of $12.9 million. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and is 30-years-old.

According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, a team source said Incognito will never play for the Dolphins again.

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