(Reuters) - A federal judge in Philadelphia on Monday granted preliminary approval to a settlement between the National Football League and thousands of former players who suffer from brain damage and dementia as a result of concussions suffered on the field.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Anita Brody comes two weeks after the NFL agreed to remove a $675 million ceiling it had placed on payments to former players who were part of a groundbreaking lawsuit over head injuries experienced during their time in the league.

Brody had denied an earlier settlement motion in January, saying the $760 million deal did not set aside enough money for the former players.

Former players will begin receiving notices about the new settlement ahead of a November hearing in the case.

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