A former NFL Media journalist is accusing the league of refusing to address what he calls long-standing institutional discrimination and said his contract was not renewed because he repeatedly voiced concerns regarding equity and racial injustice.

In making his allegations in a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in New York City, Jim Trotter also cited Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula as making racially insensitive comments. Trotter said the concerns he raised with league executives, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, regarding those comments and the lack of diversity among NFL Media employees fell on deaf ears.

“The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. I tried to do so, and it cost me my job,” Trotter said in a statement released by his law firm, Wigdor. “I’m filing this lawsuit because I can’t complain about things that are wrong if I’m unwilling to fight for what is right.”

Trotter is Black and now works for The Athletic after previously being a reporter for the NFL Network, before his contract was not renewed in March.

The NFL issued a statement disputing Trotter’s allegations.

“We share Jim Trotter’s passion for quality journalism created in and supported by a diverse and inclusive environment,” the NFL said. “We take his concerns seriously, but strongly dispute his specific allegations, particularly those made against his dedicated colleagues at NFL Media.”

The NFL said Trotter’s contract was not renewed as a result of business decisions made to address “a challenging economy and a changing media environment.”

OBIT: Former NFL receiver Mike Williams, who was injured in a construction accident two weeks ago and later put on a ventilator, died Tuesday, his agent said. He was 36.

Williams, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills from 2010-14, died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, agent Hadley Engelhard said.

Williams was injured at a construction site in Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, and removed from life support on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The newspaper quoted the mother of Williams’ 8-year-old daughter as saying he was partially paralyzed in the accident.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle signed veteran offensive tackle Jason Peters on Tuesday with the team having concerns about the health of both of their starting tackles.

The signing was announced by Peters’ representatives and is expected to be an addition to the practice squad for now. Peters is protection for Seattle in case injuries suffered by left tackle Charles Cross and right tackle Abraham Lucas end up being long term. Cross has a sprained toe and Lucas is dealing with soreness in his knee both suffered in Seattle’s season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

STEELERS: Pittsburgh will have to find a way forward without defensive tackle Cam Heyward and wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Both are expected to miss several weeks after going down with injuries in a lopsided 30-7 loss to San Francisco on Sunday.

Heyward, a 13-year veteran, will have surgery for a groin injury and is out indefinitely. Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin did not put a timeline on Heyward’s absence, saying he’d have a better idea after the surgery.

Johnson, the team’s leading receiver each of the past three years, is also expected to miss at least one game with a right hamstring injury. Tomlin said the team is still waiting for the results of an MRI scan before making an estimation on how long they will be without the five-year veteran.

Allen Robinson, acquired by the Steelers in a trade during the offseason, figures to take on a larger role after catching five passes for 64 yards against the 49ers.

BENGALS: Cincinnati released veteran offensive tackle La’el Collins.

Collins was signed before the 2022 season and held down the right tackle spot until he tore his ACL In December. Still rehabbing from the injury, he started this season on the physically unable to perform list.

The Bengals signed Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to play left tackle and shifted Jonah Williams to the right side.

The 30-year-old Collins spent six seasons with Dallas before signing a three-year contract with the Bengals as part of an upgrade of the offensive line in front of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Collins started 15 games in 2022.