Suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was unsuccessful in getting his hearing on overturning his suspension moved up to July 19.

Vilma, filed papers in U.S. District Court in Louisiana on July 16 seeking the injunction and the next day U.S. District Judge Helen “Ginger” Berrigan ruled that while Vilma won’t get his wish completely, that she would move the hearing up a week to July 26.

Vilma, one of four National Football League (NFL) players suspended for his role in a bounty scandal, wanted an earlier than scheduled court hearing on a review of the suspension to allow him access to team training facilities.

Vilma’s request for the injunction is based on the fact that he had serious knee surgery and wants the Saints’ medical staff to monitor his rehabilitation.

“For me to continue my progress, it is vital that my rehabilitation be carefully supervised,” Vilma said in an affidavit according to the Associated Press. “The Saints head trainer, Scottie Patton, is the person best qualified to help me make sure my ability to engage in my profession is back on track.”

The NFL filed a response to Vilma’s request on July 17 saying that Vilma hadn’t exhausted all alternative dispute resolutions and the suspension doesn’t prevent him from having contact with Saints’ doctors – it just bans him from the Saints’ facilities.

“And Mr. Vilma is incorrect about the ability of the Saints medical staff to interact with him during his suspension; while Mr. Vilma may not attend the Club facility, he can rehabilitate and condition at a private facility and Saints trainers and physicians can monitor and help guide his rehabilitation there,” the league’s response said according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, their former teammates Packers’ defensive end Anthony Hargrove and Browns’ linebacker Scott Fujita, Saints’ head coach Sean Payton, and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams were suspended for being part of a bounty program that the NFL alleges Saints’ defensive players were paid to injure opposing players. Vilma and Payton were suspended for the season while Williams has been suspended indefinitely.