The NFL is offering grants worth up to $1 million to members of the medical community who can offer alternatives to opioids for pain relief.
Dr. Kevin Hill, co-chairman of NFL-NFLPA joint pain management committee, said the league will continue to study the efficacy of cannabis for pain relief. Dr. Hill said the "level of interest far exceeds the level of evidence" on a conference call Tuesday.
Opioids have long been used within the NFL as a way of treating both short-term and long-term pain associated with injuries suffered playing football.
This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.