A dozen former pro players are suing the National Football League, claiming a flawed policy on concussions, coupled with league misuse of the anti-inflammatory drug Toradol, ultimately caused them long-term brain injuries.

The NFL went out of its way to dispute and ignore evidence of the risks of multiple concussions and the subsequent long-term effects — all to keep players on the field and protect its interests, the plaintiffs allege in Finn v. NFL, filed Monday in federal court in Newark.