Jonathan Vilma might actually play football this season. Or he might not.
ESPN.com reports that the NFL has offered to reduce Vilma's year-long suspension to eight games as part of ongoing settlement talks involving the league, the NFL Players Association and legal representatives for the four players who were suspended for their alleged participation in the Saints' bounty program from 2009-2011. However, NFL.com reports that the NFL has made no such settlement offer, although that does not necessarily mean a proposal might not be made in the future.
According to ESPN.com, the reduced ban was offered late last week, and it's contingent upon Vilma dropping a civil defamation of character lawsuit against commissioner Roger Goodell.
Saints defensive end Will Smith (four games), Packers defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (eight games) and Browns linebacker Scott Fujita (three games) could also see a reduction in their suspensions if ESPN.com's report of the talks are accurate.
The two sides are scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan on Friday.
