The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance against the NFL challenging the commissioner's authority to suspend four players in the bounty scandal. We knew this was coming. The NFLPA is alleges the suspensions "violated the [league's] duty of fairness to the players" due to limits on commissioner Goodell's authority and insufficient evidence. Sources told ESPN earlier in the week to expect "a massive multiple legal battle over this on several fronts."

NFL suspended Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma for the entire season for his role in the bounty scandal. The NFL's investigation concluded that Vilma, as captain of the defense, aided Greg Williams in establishing and funding the bounty program. Vilma's suspension will kick in immediately while Packers DE Anthony Hargrove (8 games), Saints DE Will Smith (4 games), and Browns LB Scott Fujita (3 games) are allowed to participate in OTAs and preseason action. Curtis Lofton will shift to middle linebacker, with David Hawthorne on the weak side and one of Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, and Chris Chamberlain on the strong side. No other players will be suspended for the bounty scandal.

According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, the league will finally hand down player punishment in the Saints' bounty scandal this week. If La Canfora "had to guess," he thinks MLB Jonathan Vilma will be suspended 4-8 games, DE Will Smith 2-4 games, SS Roman Harper 1-2 games and Packers DL Anthony Hargrove 1-2 games. It's possible more players will draw bans, of course. It's also possible Vilma's punishment can be more harsh than expected, just like coach Sean Payton's was.

Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma's contract restructure included a straight $2.2 million pay cut for 2012. It's a clear indication Vilma's roster spot was in danger had he not been willing to play ball with his contract. Originally scheduled to bring home $5.4 million, he'll now make $1.6 million in addition to a $1 million signing bonus and $600,000 roster bonus. He's still due a total of $6 million in 2013, the final year of his deal. Vilma, of course, stands to lose even more money when he's handed what's expected to be a lengthy suspension for his role in the Saints' bounty scandal.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says punishment for the players involved in the Saints' bounty scandal is coming "soon." What the hold up is remains unclear, but Goodell did not guarantee justice would be meted out before the draft. He did say he would reject the "just following orders" defense, and that "evidence was clear that the players embraced it." That's bad news for players like MLB Jonathan Vilma, SS Roman Harper and DE Will Smith, who are likely planning to make disgraced former DC Gregg Williams the scapegoat in their inevitable appeals.

The Saints have worked out a restructured contract with MLB Jonathan Vilma. Both the Saints and Vilma are bracing for a lengthy bounty-scandal ban. Vilma should feel lucky he wasn't released outright. Details of the restructure are unknown, but it should keep him on the roster for whatever period he's eligible to play in 2012. Vilma was previously due a $5.4M salary and $100K workout bonus. Based on 2011 performance, he wasn't worth half that much.

MLB Jonathan Vilma is reportedly bracing for a 2-8 game suspension for his role in the Saints' bounty scandal. The wide range speaks to the confusion the players involved are still feeling nearly a month after the league handed down its punishment to Saints coaches and executives. A two-game ban would be the absolute best-case scenario for a player who reportedly offered $10,000 to "the guy that knocks out Brett Favre" in the 2010 NFC Championship Game.

SI's Peter King would be "surprised" if the league doesn't announce its punishment for the players involved in the Saints' bounty scandal this week. Commissioner Roger Goodell has left players like MLB Jonathan Vilma twisting in the wind for nearly three weeks after handing down his punishment for the coaches and executives involved, but could make a ruling as early as Monday. King also expects Goodell to rule on coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis' appeals within the next 48 hours.

The Associated Press reports the NFLPA has warned players involved in the Saints' bounty scandal there is a possibility they could face criminal charges. The NFLPA has "suggested" the players have a lawyer and union representative present when they meet with NFL investigators. It's extremely unusual for criminal charges to be pursued against athletes for actions committed on the field, but not unprecedented. Although there is still surprisingly little known about the player aspect of the bounty scandal, Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma may have the most to worry about.

GM Mickey Loomis says the Saints have no plans to release MLB Jonathan Vilma following the signing of MLB Curtis Lofton. "(Vilma) is still a big part of our team," Loomis said Saturday evening. "A top player and leader for us." The Saints could be waiting to decide Vilma's fate until learning his punishment for his role in the team's bounty scandal. It's possible either Lofton or Vilma could be shifted outside, but it's doubtful the Saints signed Lofton with a position switch in mind. Vilma is still very much in danger of being handed his walking papers.