The NFL Players Association has confirmed it is the target of a federal investigation into whether union leaders attempted to collude with NFL officials by holding secret meetings to discuss labor talks.

NFLPA official George Atallah said yesterday the union has been cooperating with the Department of Labor probe, which came to light in a lawsuit filed against the union last week by NFLPA employee Mary Moran. Moran claims she was wrongfully removed from her job as director of human resources and placed on administrative leave with pay on Aug. 3 because of her role as a confidential informant in the investigation.

In court documents filed in District of Columbia Superior Court on Thursday, Moran said she provided investigators evidence that former NFLPA president Troy Vincent and other union members met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, allegedly to provide the league access to confidential union information.

She alleged that NFLPA executive committee member Mark Bruener and Texans player representative Kris Brown also attended the meetings, which she claims were not authorized by or reported to the union. She alleged the meetings were a bid by union members to gain influence with the NFL while providing "owners a toehold in the NFLPA."

Moran also alleges NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith met with a Department of Justice official in a bid to stop the investigation in April, weeks after Smith was elected to the job to succeed Gene Upshaw, who died a year ago. Smith took over in mid-March, weeks after Moran became involved in the investigation.

Atallah, the NFLPA's assistant executive director for external affairs, dismissed the contents of the lawsuit.

"We are confident that the claims are without merit and therefore see no reason to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit," Atallah said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has not seen the lawsuit, but noted it's common for Goodell to meet with players and union executives, including Vincent.

SHORT SNAPS

Browns: The Cleveland Browns struggled without offensive lineman Ryan Tucker last season. They'll be without him again — and maybe for good. The 12-year veteran, who considered retirement before reporting to training camp this summer, was placed on injured reserve with an unspecified injury yesterday.

Bengals: Rookie right tackle Andre Smith broke his left foot during practice yesterday, only two days after he ended his holdout with Cincinnati. The first-round pick sustained a small fracture in the foot during a non-contact drill in his third workout since signing his deal, another major setback to his chances of winning the starting job this season.

Broncos: With its top two quarterbacks sidelined by injuries, rookie Tom Brandstater will start Denver's preseason finale tomorrow night against Arizona. Brandstater is a sixth-round pick out of Fresno State. Starter Kyle Orton (gash, dislocated right index finger) and backup Chris Simms (left high ankle sprain) are out.

49ers: The San Francisco 49ers have released 13-year veteran quarterback Damon Huard, putting Nate Davis in line to be the team's No. 3 quarterback behind starter Shaun Hill and backup Alex Smith. The 36-year-old Huard has thrown for 6,303 yards and 33 touchdowns in his career.

Raiders: Oakland Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will wear a cast on his injured left wrist but isn't expected to miss the team's season opener. Asomugha met with a hand specialist this week and tests showed a chip fracture and cartilage damage in his left wrist.

Panthers: Carolina addressed its biggest need yesterday by acquiring defensive tackle Louis Leonard from the Cleveland Browns for a 2010 late-round draft pick. The Panthers were left with a hole on the defensive line after starter Maake Kemoeatu (Kahuku High, Utah alum) ruptured his Achilles' tendon less than 30 minutes into the first practice of training camp.

Saints: Reggie Bush could miss his third straight preseason game tomorrow night when the New Orleans Saints host Miami, while fellow running back Pierre Thomas is expected to sit out for the second time in as many games. Bush hasn't played since straining his right calf during joint during a practice session.

Texans: Houston quarterback Matt Schaub is not expected to play in Friday's preseason finale against Tampa Bay because of a sprained ankle, but he should be ready for the regular-season opener. Schaub sprained his ankle in the second quarter of Houston's loss to Minnesota on Monday night.