The National Football League is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former players who allege team officials gave them powerful painkillers and other drugs to keep them on the field without regard for their long-term health.

NFL lawyers on Thursday are expected to urge a federal judge in San Francisco to toss out the lawsuit filed on behalf of hundreds of former players. The NFL argues that the former players waited too long to file their lawsuit and that the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit has expired.

The lawsuit makes claims dating back to 1968. The former players allege that NFL physicians and trainers routinely provided narcotics and other controlled substances on game days to mask the pain. The lawsuit says many of the drugs were dispensed without prescriptions.

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