Maurice Clarett is ready to enter the NFL draft, clearing another legal obstacle Wednesday when a federal judge rejected the league’s request to suspend her ruling.
U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin concluded the Ohio State star could face “very detrimental” harm if excluded from the draft. She said the NFL would not be irreparably harmed if Clarett and other underclassmen are eligible.
“Maurice Clarett’s going to be in the draft,” the player’s lawyer, Alan Milstein, said after the decision.
NFL lawyer Gregg Levy said the league now will ask the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay Scheindlin’s ruling while it appeals.
– Division I-AA Western Illinois will receive $350,000 for playing Nebraska in the season opener Sept. 4, which also will mark the debut of new Cornhuskers coach Bill Callahan.
– New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, who missed the last seven games of the season after spraining his left knee Nov. 9, had surgery on the injured knee in Miami.
– Less than two weeks before the deadline for placing a franchise tag on quarterback Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts have made little progress on re-signing five other starters and a key backup before they become free agents March 3.
– Rush defensive specialist Greg Williams will miss up to 12 weeks after having surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his right hand.
