AP

Cornerback Brandon Browner didn’t play in the postseason. He didn’t even appear on the roster, thanks to an indefinite suspension imposed by the NFL under the substance-abuse policy. He can apply for reinstatement one year after the suspension began.

But thanks to the specific language of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension didn’t keep Browner from getting a portion of the postseason pay he otherwise would have earned.

Per a league source, Browner recently received a check for $131,000. Of that amount, $44,000 relates to the NFC title game, and $97,000 arises from his role on the Super Bowl-winning team.

Browner was entitled to the money based on the language of Article 37, Section 4(c), which provides that “[a] player who at the time of the game in question is not on the Active List or Inactive List of a Club participating in the game but was on the Active or Inactive List for eight or more games (i.e., regular or postseason) will receive the full amount designated . . . for such game provided he is not under contract to another Club in the same Conference at the time of the game in question.”

Browner wasn’t eligible for compensation arising from the playoff win over the Saints, because Article 37, Section 3 restricts payment for the wild-card and divisional round to “[a] player who is on the Active List, Inactive List, or Injured Reserve List of a Club at the time of the game in question will be paid the full amount designated in Section 2 above for that game.”

Browner also will get a Super Bowl ring from the Seahawks. Those are awarded at the discretion of the team.

He started eight games in 2013, and Browner appeared on the active roster for six other games. His suspension became official in December.