Despite ruling, conflict far from over (AP)

NFL players are claiming a modest victory, if that, after Judge Susan Richard Nelson granted a preliminary injunction blocking the league’s lockout.

Buffalo Bills safety George Wilson(notes), who had served as the team’s union player representative prior to decertification, says “by no means does this mean that we as the players have all the leverage or have an outright outlook that we’re in the winning position right now.”

Gary Roberts, dean of the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, acknowledging that the NFL immediately will appeal, puts the decision in football terms. Roberts says “the players started on their own 20-yard line and I think they gained 15 or 20 yards, but there’s a long way to the end zone.”