National Football League

Cowboys file complaint against DL Ratliff, seek compensation

Published Mar. 25, 2014 10:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Dallas Cowboys have filed a complaint against Jay Ratliff and are seeking compensation from the defensive lineman.

Ratliff was sidelined last season while recovering from a sports hernia that required surgery. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list, but when he told the Cowboys he was not physically able to play, they released him in October.

A week later, Ratliff's surgeon medically cleared him to play and he signed with the Bears, playing five games for them.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calls it "undermining" when a player "can say he is hurt one day and signs to play with a team another."

The collective bargaining agreement does not cover such disputes. The Cowboys have brought their complaint to the NFL's management council and the players' union.