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OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The day Terrell Owens was to take his physical with the Ravens, the team waited for an arbitrator to rule on the star receiver's bid to void his trade from San Francisco.
Baltimore obtained the four-time Pro Bowl receiver from the 49ers on Thursday for a second-round draft pick. Owens said he would not report and wanted the option of playing for the Eagles.
He was scheduled to take a physical Monday at the Ravens team complex but did not show up. The Ravens, who have the option of waiving the physical, opted to postpone the examination pending formal confirmation of the trade.
Owens was denied free-agent status last month after he missed a deadline to void the final three seasons of his contract. His agent, David Joseph, filed a grievance with the NFL Management Council through the NFL Players Association.
Union executive director Gene Upshaw has asked the league to overturn the trade and have Owens' contract voided so he can be declared a free agent. That could mean millions to Owens, who is due to make $17.7-million in base salary over the next three seasons, including $5.3-million next year.
Upshaw sent the case to Stephen Burbank, an arbitrator in charge of settling disputes regarding the NFL's collective-bargaining agreement, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
"This is a matter between the league and the union right now," Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said. "We can't do anything until we hear back on the ruling."
The Ravens expect the matter to be cleared up by Friday and have said they are certain Owens will play for them. They have said they are willing to rework the deal to bring his salary in line with other top receivers.
DRUG TESTING: The NFL, the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the University of Utah have joined to form a drug testing laboratory in Salt Lake City.
The lab will conduct research into the use and detection of prohibited and performance-enhancing substances. The U.S. Olympic Committee will be involved in the testing.
The NFL, the doping agency and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee from the 2002 Winter Olympics are providing startup funds. They will begin with facilities left from the Salt Lake Games.
BENGALS: Rich Braham, the team's starting center since 1996, signed a one-year contract. Braham, a 10-year veteran, was an unrestricted free agent. Terms were not disclosed.
GIANTS: Former Lions linebacker Barrett Green signed a free-agent contract. He might replace free-agent weak-side linebacker Dhani Jones.
JETS: Receiver Justin McCareins, acquired from the Titans for a second-round pick last week, signed a seven-year contract worth about $31-million, with a $7-million signing bonus. "I just want to say I'm really excited," McCareins said. "I mean, it's great to have a team be that interested in you. This is a young team on its way up. I'm real excited to join, get a chance to contribute. And I'm ready to work." ... Wide receiver Curtis Conway was released.
PANTHERS: Offensive lineman Adam Meadows signed a five-year contract. Linebacker Jessie Armstead also signed a week after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal.
STEELERS: Hall of Fame defensive tackle "Mean" Joe Greene, a mainstay of Pittsburgh's four Super Bowl teams in the 1970s, was hired as a scout. Greene, the Cardinals defensive line coach the past eight seasons, will assist in evaluating professional and college players.
VIKINGS: Free-agent receiver Marcus Robinson, whose career experienced a brief renaissance in Baltimore, agreed to a four-year contract.