LAS VEGAS — The stunning release of Christian Wilkins by the Raiders last week took another bizarre turn Monday when it was revealed that Wilkins was involved in an incident with a teammate in the days leading up to his release.

Wilkins attempted to kiss a teammate in a meeting room at the Raiders’ facility, according to people with knowledge of the situation. The incident apparently upset the teammate, and he filed an official complaint with the organization’s human resources department.

The Raiders declined to comment on the situation. Wilkins’ agent didn’t respond to multiple text messages seeking comment.

The incident could become a key part of the Raiders’ argument to void the $35.2 million in guaranteed payments left on the four-year, $110 million contract Wilkins signed last offseason.

The defensive tackle was informed by the Raiders in June that they were voiding the guarantees on the contract. At the time, he and the club disagreed on the best course of treatment for his surgically repaired foot. A person with knowledge of the situation indicated the organization thought another procedure was necessary, but Wilkins did not.

Wilkins has filed a grievance challenging the decision.

Upon announcing his release Thursday, the Raiders said they saw “no clear path to his return.” That led to a widespread assumption that the disagreement over his rehabilitation was the singular reason for the breakup and the decision to void the remaining guarantees.

Monday’s report about the incident between Wilkins and the teammate could change things. Or at least adds to it.

In other words, the Raiders could be using the refusal to get the additional procedure — and some conduct incidents — to build their case for voiding the guarantees.

“I’d bet there was a pattern of conduct, or the Raiders feel like there was a pattern, and the last incident put them over the top,” an NFL team executive with procedural familiarity said.

What’s next?

The grievance process could be lengthy, according to league sources. At some point, the NFL and NFL Players Association will decide on a date for the matter to be heard. That most likely will be in the spring, though there’s a chance it could be put on the fall grievance calendar.

Interestingly, the Raiders released Wilkins without any injury designation, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. That is noteworthy considering he was on the physically unable to perform list at the time of the release. The PUP list is designated for players who report to camp and are unable to pass a physical because of a football-related injury.

If the Raiders’ argument for voiding Wilkins’ guarantees was the disagreement on how best to proceed with recovery, why didn’t they attach an injury designation to his release?

That makes it more likely their argument is more about conduct.

“They are probably hanging their hat on the incident,” an NFL source said.

It could also mean Wilkins is claiming he is healthy and wants to play as soon as possible.

“In that case, he might see what he can earn elsewhere, then grieve the Raiders and see if he can get back the difference,” a league source said.

Salary cap implications

While the Raiders wait out the process of voiding the $35.2 million in guarantees, a 40 percent cap hold will be applied to the amount being grieved until the situation is resolved. That means a $14.8 million cap hit to the Raiders.

If the matter isn’t resolved until next spring, that cap hit could impact the Raiders’ free agency plans in March.

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