Mike Pennel Settles Lawsuit Against NFL, NFLPA and NFLMC

Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson recently filed unfair labor charges against the NFL and the NFL Players Association after he lost an appeal of his 10-game suspension. Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Mike Pennel reportedly took similar action on Nov. 29.

According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, Pennel sued the league, NFLPA and NFL Management Council in federal court. 

However, Pennel settled the lawsuit on Tuesday and will serve a four-game suspension for the violation, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Garafolo noted Pennel was facing a year ban and will be eligible for the postseason after the settlement.

The NFL announced the suspension Tuesday and noted Pennel will officially be eligible to return to the active roster on Jan. 2, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

At the time, Breer noted the case was related to Pennel's discipline under the substances of abuse policy. The lineman wanted a new arbitrator because of a conflict of interest involving a current one, James Carter, per Breer.

Breer also pointed out the conflict of interest for an arbitrator is one of the same complaints in Johnson's case. 

According to Eric Heisig of Cleveland.com, Pennel said in his lawsuit he received a letter from the league notifying him he was facing discipline again for violating the policy. Heisig also noted the lawsuit said the SOA policy states three to five neutral arbitrators should hear any appeal, but Pennel's attorneys were told only two are needed. Pennel is seeking a third arbitrator.

Pennel was already suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the SOA policy. Demovsky wrote the suspension cost the defensive lineman $141,176 of his $600,000 base pay. 

Johnson said in August the NFLPA didn't make it clear which supplements were allowed to be taken, per ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested Johnson's decision to file unfair labor charges could have arisen from that, the NFLPA's disagreement with the allegations and/or a statement from Johnson's lawyer saying the NFLPA needs to investigate why news of Johnson's second suspension was leaked before it became official.

As for Pennel, he was more of a factor in Green Bay's defense last season when he appeared in every game. Thanks to his previous suspension, he has appeared in only eight contests this year and has seven tackles and a pass deflection.