Updated

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Mike Adams has sued three men who were acquitted of criminal charges that they attacked him outside a sandwich shop in June 2013.

Adams' lawsuit filed Wednesday claims Jerrell Whitlock, Dquay Means and Michael Paranay tried to steal his vehicle about 3 a.m. and that Whitlock stabbed him after Means pulled a gun.

The men were acquitted of aggravated assault and attempted homicide charges last April, after they claimed that Adams made up the carjacking story after scuffling with the men while drunk. Means and Paranay have already sued Adams alleging they were wrongly prosecuted because of his claims.

Means' lawyer says he believes Adams' suit was filed as a way for the player to defend himself against their civil lawsuits.