Glenn Earns Right to Sue the NFL

New England Patriot wide receiver Terry Glenn was cleared to sue the NFL on Monday regarding his complaint that the league failed to consider his chronic depression when he was suspended four games for violating its substance abuse policy.

In a charge filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Buffalo, Glenn argued that he missed a drug test because of depression, which is a federally recognized disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Glenn’s agent, James Gould, said he received a “right to sue” letter from the EEOC on Monday. The EEOC procedure, designed to discourage frivolous lawsuits, does not take sides in the case; it merely acknowledges that the claim, if true, could be a violation of the law.

Glenn has 90 days to decide whether to file a lawsuit, Gould said.

“We’re trying to work it out with both the NFL and the Patriots and find a peaceful resolution,” he said. “If we sue, I am certain we would prevail.”

Neither the NFL nor the Patriots would comment on the complaint.

*

Dallas Coach Dave Campo said that Ryan Leaf would be the starting quarterback Sunday at Atlanta, a day after he made his first appearance with the Cowboys.

Leaf took over with 4:23 left in regulation of the Cowboys’ 27-24 overtime loss to the New York Giants, completing four of eight passes for 85 yards.

*

Quarterback Elvis Grbac will start for the Baltimore Ravens against Tennessee next Monday night. Randall Cunningham was 2-0 in place of Grbac, but will return to the bench if Grbac’s bruised ribs are healed, as expected.

Chris Weinke is questionable for Carolina’s game against St. Louis because of a sprained throwing shoulder, and his backup, Dameyune Craig, is out at least six weeks because of a torn ligament in his foot.... San Diego receiver-punt returner Tim Dwight suffered a collapsed lung in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City and was hospitalized. Dwight is expected to be released today.... Tennessee linebacker Randall Godfrey will have arthroscopic surgery today for torn cartilage in his left knee.... Cleveland defensive end Keith McKenzie is out for the season after breaking his left ankle in the Browns’ loss to Chicago.