Jonathan Vilma 'anxiously awaiting' NFL ruling; 'no decision has been made' on lawsuit

Jonathan Vilma is "anxiously awaiting" a second ruling from the NFL on the Saints bounty scandal, Vilma's attorney told CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora and, at this moment, "no decision has been made" on Vilma's lawsuit against Commissioner Roger Goodell.

After receiving a season-long suspension for his role in the bounty scandal, Vilma filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Goodell. Vilma's suspension, along with suspensions for three others -- Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove -- recently were reversed. But the ruling also opened up the door for Goodell to reissue punishments against the "Bounty Four."

A source close to the situation tells La Canfora that Vilma is likely to continue and pursue the legal action against Goodell unless Goodell decides to drastically reduce the punishment he originally issued.

As such, Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, said the linebacker is holding the course on his current lawsuit.

"Nothing has been decided in any regard, and we are anxiously awaiting the commissioner's decision," Ginsberg told La Canfora.

Vilma is currently on the Saints PUP list and has been vehement in his denials of the NFL's accusations.

Earlier this month, after the suspensions were overturned, Vilma met with Goodell during a lengthy conference. Fujita recently had his meeting with the league canceled, but it's expected that it will be rescheduled.

There have been conflicting reports about whether or not Vilma would be willing to settle his lawsuit. The NFL called reports of a settlement "completely inaccurate."

Whether or not those reports become a reality likely depends on how much punishment Vilma is given this time around.


(cbssports.com)