Al Wilson and the Broncos are engaged in an NFL arbitration grievance hearing regarding the neck injury the middle linebacker sustained late in the 2006 season.

The hearing began last week in Denver, with more testimony scheduled. Wilson’s grievance claims the Broncos violated Article XLIV of the Collective Bargaining Agreement because he was not told by the team’s physician his neck injury “could be significantly aggravated by continued performance.”

Wilson was injured during a nationally televised game Dec. 3, 2006, against Seattle. Broncos head trainer Steve Antonopulos offered no comment on the grievance.

Wilson was strapped to a backboard and carted off Invesco Field at Mile High after the injury.

The Broncos were leading early in the fourth quarter of that game when Wilson sustained the neck injury during an accidental collision with teammate Gerard Warren.

The Broncos lost 23-20, but Wilson returned to play the next week at Arizona. He played in two more games before he was held out of the team’s season finale. During the following offseason, Wilson was traded to the New York Giants for a draft pick, only to have the deal nixed because of concerns Giants doctors had about his neck.

Released a short time later by the Broncos, Wilson consulted with neck specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, who confirmed the recommendation of the Giants’ doctor that the linebacker not play in 2007. The grievance claims if the Broncos had allowed Wilson the necessary healing period after the injury he could have played last season.

Wilson was cleared in January and wants to play in 2008. The Cleveland Browns would be interested in signing Wilson if they are unable to sign their own free-agent linebacker Chaun Thompson.

-mike kilis Denver Post

Another day….another bridge burned……

I am waiting for a good news day from the Bro’s.