PHILADELPHIA (AP) — More concerns are being raised about the proposed settlement of thousands of NFL concussion lawsuits.

Yet only a fraction of the nearly 20,000 ex-players are expected to opt out of the class-action settlement by Tuesday’s deadline. They would be left to sue the NFL individually over claims the league hid known concussion risks for many years.

Critics can instead raise objections at a Nov. 19 court hearing in Philadelphia.

The settlement would pay millions to young ex-players battling neurological disease, and an average $190,000 to older men with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

But ex-players exhibiting rage, depression or mood disorders would get nothing. Some brain researchers link those problems to multiple concussions.

The advocacy group Public Citizen weighed in Tuesday. Their lawyers say the deal leaves too many former players on the sidelines.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tuesday remains the deadline to opt out of the NFL’s settlement of concussion claims after a judge in Philadelphia denied an extension request.

Lawyers for some retired players want the deadline delayed until after a Nov. 19 fairness hearing on the settlement. But Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody denied their request this week.

The lead lawyers who negotiated the minimum $765 million deal oppose the delay. They say many of the nearly 20,000 former players need the money quickly.

The plan would pay $1 million or more to retirees with the most severe neurological problems, such as Parkinson’s disease.

But the average award for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia would be about $190,000.

The deal may not be finalized by year’s end. Brody will take written briefs through mid-December.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A national brain injury group says the proposed payout scheme for NFL concussion-related injuries is “deeply flawed.”

The Brain Injury Association of America says it believes the proposed awards favor retired players with memory and neuromuscular problems. The group says it excludes former players battling mood swings, aggression and many other problems.

The group’s Tuesday court filing seeks the right to weigh in when a federal judge in Philadelphia reviews the settlement plan in November.

The NFL has agreed to provide at least $675 million over 65 years to ex-players diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other serious neurocognitive problems. The total settlement, including research and medical testing, is $765 million.

Lead players’ lawyer Christopher Seeger calls the agreement “an extraordinary settlement for retired NFL players and their families.”

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A report in the NFL concussion litigation estimates that nearly three in 10 former players will develop at least moderate cognitive problems.

The report released Friday was prepared for the ex-players’ attorneys. It estimates that 28 percent of all retired players will be diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s disease or moderate dementia. That would represent nearly 6,000 of the 19,000 living former players.

The players’ actuary expects another 31 retirees to be diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and 24 with Parkinson’s disease during their lives.

The NFL also predicted that 28 percent of retired players will qualify for an award.

Both sides have agreed that $675 million should be enough to fund the settlement for 65 years, although the NFL says it will add more money if needed.

The fund wouldn’t cover current players.

SEATTLE (AP) — The NFL says concussions decreased by 13 percent overall during the 2013 season from the previous year, and the number of concussions coming from helmet-to-helmet contact was down 23 percent.

Those are the findings of the NFL’s Health and Safety committee, which released its report to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Those numbers are notable considering concussions were a particular focus for the league during the 2013 season, which included independent neurologists on the sidelines and unaffiliated athletic trainers watching for injuries from the press box.

Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president of health and safety, says those numbers are a strong indicator players are understanding the rule changes the league has made to try to lessen head injuries. He cautions it’s just one year and the numbers may rise in the future, but the goal is steady, long-term decline in concussions.