The Supreme Court on Monday and Tuesday declined to hear appeals in two separate high-profile cases involving civil rights claims.

On Tuesday, the justices rejected a Michigan police officer's petition to dismiss an excessive force lawsuit stemming from an incident during protests following George Floyd's death. The officer had sought to avoid the civil rights claim, but the Court's refusal to take up the case allows the lawsuit to proceed in lower courts.

Separately on Monday, the Court turned away the NFL's attempt to prevent former coach Brian Flores's racial discrimination lawsuit from proceeding in open court. Flores, who is Black and currently serves as Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, filed suit in 2022 against the NFL and three franchises, alleging systemic racism in coaching searches.

The NFL had argued that league rules require such disputes to be handled through private arbitration under Commissioner Roger Goodell's authority, rather than in public court proceedings. The league's petition centered on questions about Goodell's arbitration powers and whether the case should remain in federal court.

By declining to hear both appeals, the Supreme Court allows the underlying legal proceedings to continue in federal district courts. The Court typically does not provide explanations for such rejections, which are issued as brief orders.