Barrin Simpson has enlisted agent Mark Maren in his dispute with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers concerning his playing status.
The Bombers placed the veteran middle linebacker on the nine-game injured list on Sunday night, effectively ending any possibility he will play in the regular season unless the team pulls him back before the nine-games elapse.
Any player placed on the nine-game injured list receives his full salary, but it does not count against a team's salary cap. However, if the team brings him back before the conclusion of the nine-game period, it counts against the cap.
Simpson has been placed on the Bombers' injured list with a turf toe that has been bothering him this season, but claims he can play through it. The Bombers feel otherwise and made the move to place him on the extended injured list after informing him of the move.
He claims they needed written permission to sign off on the move, but they are disputing that.
"Barrin Simpson has hired me to represent him moving forward, and we are currently waiting on the league to determine if his placement on the nine-game (list) is valid without his signature accepting the placement on said list," Maren told Sportsnet.
The Bombers relegated Simpson to backup status heading into their game Sunday against Saskatchewan, which the Roughriders won 55-10.
He publicly declared he wanted to be traded because of the demotion, which caused head coach Mike Kelly to suggest the veteran was not being a team player.
