Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and James Harrison Reportedly to Meet with NFL

The NFL has set dates to meet with players accused of using performance-enhancing drugs in an Al Jazeera America documentary.

Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback reported the news Monday:

On Tuesday, the league informed Harrison that his meeting with investigators will be pushed up to Thursday at 11 a.m. ET at the Pittsburgh Steelers' facility, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported on Thursday the NFL doesn't have any new evidence, but is merely going through a Q&A session regarding ties to Charlie Sly.

Peyton Manning was one of several high-profile players originally named in an Al Jazeera America documentary as a user of performance-enhancing drugs. While the retired Manning has been cleared of wrongdoing, the remaining players on the list are still under scrutiny.

Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal and Harrison were required to meet with the NFL, with threat of indefinite suspension if they refused. While they all eventually agreed, Harrison has been outspoken in his opposition to the meeting, per Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today:

"

Whatever evidence they might have or reasoning for questioning for me is out of my control, I don't know. I wouldn't have a problem with it being filmed live. I've been prosecuted and persecuted publicly in the media by them for something I didn't do, so I don't see why we couldn't have the media there and do a live interview. They can ask the questions and I can answer them, and y'all can see whatever evidence it is they say they got.

"

It is beyond unlikely that Commissioner Roger Goodell would agree to televise the meetings.

Amy Trask of CBS Sports noted the NFL might be making the wrong decision in pursuing the investigation:

Goodell has come under plenty of scrutiny for the use of his disciplinary power, from suspensions regarding the substance-abuse policy to the Deflategate fiasco with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Pittsburgh Steelers player representative Ramon Foster is already recommending that players save up to prepare for an extended lockout in 2021 after the collective bargaining agreement expires, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.

Although there will be plenty of issues at stake, discipline policies will be a major part of the negotiations.

Until then, however, NFL players will be forced to follow Goodell's instructions, including meeting with him when requested.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter.