FEDERAL JUDGE REJECTS PUTTING SUSPENSIONS ON HOLD
MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge denied Friday a request by the NFL Players Association to put the suspensions of five players on hold while the case — over use of a banned substance — is being appealed.
However, NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler said it doesn’t necessary mean the players will miss any games at the start of the 2009 season because there could be action at the appellate court level before the season starts. Further, he said, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson has sent some issues surrounding the suspensions of Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams back to the state courts.
Peter Ginsberg, attorney for both Vikings, said the ruling would not affect them because they have a stay on their suspensions from a state court.
“I don’t think it affects our clients at all,” he said.
They will be back in front of a state judge next week. The defensive tackles, Saints Charles Grant and Will Smith, and Deuce McAllister, who was released by the Saints after the season, tested positive for a banned diuretic last year and were each given four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s doping policy.
Tackle Jansen set to join Lions
DETROIT — On the same day he was released by the Redskins, offensive tackle Jon Jansen said he will sign a one-year contract with the Lions if he passes a physical.
Jansen started all but one game over seven seasons after being drafted from Michigan a decade ago, but didn’t play in 2004 or in 2007 and was limited to 11 starts last season.
Footnotes.
Safety Jarrad Page signed his restricted free-agent tender with the Chiefs. Terms were not disclosed.
• Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa agreed to a one-year contract with the Bears after leading the Rams in tackles four of the past six seasons. The Bears also locked up defensive tackle Israel Idonije with a two-year extension through 2011.
• Falcons offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka is free on bond after being accused of fighting with his wife over his Facebook activity, police said. Ojinnaka was charged with simple battery. The Associated Press
