NEW YORK -- Five former NFL players, including six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Neil Smith, are suing the union for not providing accurate information about the risk of head injuries. Rod Woodson Jersey . The lawsuit on behalf of Smith, Ladell Betts, Anthony Davis, Christian Ballard and Gregory Westbrooks was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, with the plaintiffs claiming the NFL Players Association "withheld information from the players about the risks of head injuries." The former players are seeking medical monitoring and financial compensation for long-term chronic injuries, financial losses, expenses and intangible losses. It refers to the "pathological and debilitating effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) caused by concussive and sub-concussive impacts." The players named former union presidents Trace Armstrong, Troy Vincent and Kevin Mawae in the suit. "This lawsuit has no merit and we will defend our union and our past presidents," the NFLPA said in a statement. "It erroneously alleges that the NFLPA knowingly and fraudulently concealed from players the risks of head injuries players faced by playing in NFL games and practices over the last several decades. "The NFLPA has made the health and safety of its members a priority and the advancements in professional football on concussion education, prevention and treatment are a result of our efforts." The lawsuit notes that the players paid dues to the union, which assured them their best interests would be protected. But, the plaintiffs say, that did not happen. "We believe that the most important resource in the NFL is the players, and the most essential part of a players body is the brain," said attorney Kevin Regan, who is representing the players in the lawsuit. "Considering the millions of dollars received as dues from NFLPA members, the NFLPA did not do enough to protect its members from traumatic brain injury." The union also is accused of "engaging in a campaign of disinformation designed to dispute accepted and valid research regarding the connection between repetitive head injuries or concussions and degenerative brain disease; and to create a falsified body of research that the NFLPA could cite as proof that truthful and accepted neuroscience on the subject was inconclusive and subject to doubt." Smith spent 13 seasons in the NFL, nine with Kansas City, and was one of the games top defensive players. He retired in 2000. Betts was a running back for nine seasons, the first eight with Washington. He retired in 2010. Davis played eight seasons with four teams and won a Super Bowl with Baltimore after the 2000 season, his last year in the league. Ballard, a defensive end in 2011 and 2012, left the Vikings last September. Coincidentally, he is being represented by the union in a grievance concerning about $240,000 in 2013 salary that he collected but the team is trying to recoup. Westbrooks, now 61, played parts of seven seasons from 1975-81 as a linebacker and special teamer with four clubs. DeAnthony Thomas Jersey . - New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has an agreement to bring back outside linebacker Parys Haralson on a one-year deal. Willis McGahee Jersey . -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-justin-tucker-jersey-large-2093d.html . -- Oakland Athletics starting pitchers Jarrod Parker and A. LOS ANGELES -- Josh Beckett earned his first victory since September 2012 and the Los Angeles Dodgers kept Jacob Turner winless, beating the Miami Marlins 7-1 Tuesday night. Miami lost its fifth in a row after learning ace Jose Fernandez had a significant elbow tear and that the team doctor had recommended Tommy John surgery. Beckett (1-1) gave up an unearned run and four hits over 6 2-3 innings, striking out six and walking three. The three-time All-Star and former World Series MVP with the Marlins was 0-6 in his last 14 starts. Beckett had a rib removed last July in a surgery to alleviate a nerve condition that was affecting his right arm, limiting his season. Dodgers star Yasiel Puig extended his career-best hitting streak to 13 games with two hits, including an RBI double. It was Puig bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium and the outfielder caught a ceremonial first pitch from his mother, Maritza. Turner (0-1) is winless in 16 starts since last July. He gave up four earned runs in 5 1-3 innings. Turner is 0-10 in 17 career starts on the road with a 3. Kyle Boller Jersey. 97 ERA. The game was scoreless until the Dodgers got five runs in the sixth. Dee Gordon hustled for a double with one out, Puig walked and Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run double. Adrian Gonzalez followed with an RBI double, Matt Kemp singled home a run and Justin Turner hit a sacrifice fly. Beckett may have lost his edge after the Dodgers batted around. He gave up a leadoff double in the seventh to Garrett Jones, who advanced on a passed ball by Drew Butera and scored on Marcell Ozunas sacrifice fly. Beckett then walked No. 8 hitter Derek Dietrich and was lifted after 101 pitches. NOTES: Beckett has allowed no more than two earned runs in five of his seven starts. ... Marlins star Giancarlo Stanton extended his hitting streak to 15 games with an infield single in the fourth. ... The Dodgers got their major league-best 48th stolen base when Chone Figgins swiped second, one pitch after he was plunked by A.J. Ramos while batting for reliever Chris Perez. ' ' '