PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : NFL Threatens to Suspend 40 Redskins

The NFL has threatened to suspend 40 Washington Redskins for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys if they don’t pay their $5,000 yearly union dues by Friday afternoon.

Charley Casserly, Washington general manager, said he got a letter from the league listing the names of 41 Redskins--he said at least one player listed has paid--who haven’t paid. He said the team cannot pay the dues for the players.

Tight end Terry Orr, one of the 27 players who has appealed the legal settlement that led to the current collective bargaining agreement, declined to comment. But one Redskin who didn’t want to be identified said the players had a meeting after practice and each player will make his choice. But he added: “If 41 of our guys don’t show up, are they going to forfeit the game?”

A team source said the Redskins are upset because the Cowboys don’t have to pay their dues because Texas is a right-to-work state. All players who aren’t located in right-to-work states must pay dues or risk suspension, according to the new bargaining agreement. There are about 190 players around in the league in this category.

Doug Allen, the assistant executive director of the NFL Players Assn., said he was confident the players will pay their dues rather than risk losing game checks. He also said the $5,000 might be rebated this spring when the players get licensing money.