Report: Walter Thurmond hit with four-game substance abuse suspension

[boozeman]

Report: Walter Thurmond hit with four-game substance abuse suspension

Posted by Josh Alper on November 24, 2013, 10:32 AM EST


Another Seahawks cornerback is reportedly facing a four-game suspension from the league, but not for the same reasons as his teammates.

Unlike Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, who had his suspension overturned on appeal, Walter Thurmond isn’t being disciplined for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Thurmond is going to be suspended for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse.

Per Rapoport, Thurmond will drop his appeal of the suspension early this week. That would mean that he’d miss Weeks 13-16 for the Seahawks, who are on their bye this week.

It’s tough timing for the Seahawks, who are already without Browner because of a groin injury. Browner is expected to miss a few more weeks and Thurmond had stepped up from his usual slot corner role to help the Seahawks cover for Browner’s absence. Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell will be pushed into expanded duty for the Seahawks with Browner and Thurmond out of the lineup.

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Well, this explains things.

 

[Smitty]

I bet the Seahawks are totally roided up.

 

[1bigfan13]

I bet the Seahawks are totally roided up.

How many is that for the Seahawks? They seem to have a lot of players pop up on the PED radar.

 

[boozeman]

How many is that for the Seahawks? They seem to have a lot of players pop up on the PED radar.

Brandon Browner faces eight-game suspension for PEDs


By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League Editor
Published: Nov. 25, 2013 at 06:48 p.m.
Updated: Nov. 25, 2013 at 07:08 p.m.

The Seattle Seahawks' secondary is set to face another obstacle.

NFL Media columnist Michael Silver reports that Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner is facing another suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Browner also missed the final four games of last season for violating the league's PED policy. Second-time violators of the policy are suspended eight games, per league policy. He's currently recovering from a groin injury and was not expected to be available until mid-December, coach Pete Carroll said last week.

Silver reported Monday that the Seahawks will sign veteran Antoine Winfield to help replace Browner and Thurmond. Silver reports that another cornerback also is expected to join the team.

This suspension should end Browner's Seahawks career, according to Silver's sources. His contract expires at the end of the season and the organization is believed to be done with him. Browner's agent declined comment to Silver, citing the confidentiality of the league's program.

PED violations have grown into a recurring issue for the Seahawks. Carroll was forced to address the problem in the offseason after pass rusher Bruce Irvin was suspended. The Seahawks lead the league with five PED suspensions since 2011.

Silver reports that the topic has already been brought up in a recent team meeting. Center Max Unger and cornerback Richard Sherman addressed their teammates recently. The message: We're going to the Super Bowl. If any of you want to do this stuff, go ahead. You won't be coming with us.

 

[1bigfan13]

At what point does the NFL look at the Seahawks organization and start penalizing them?

This is too many players to merely be a coincidence.

 

[boozeman]

At what point does the NFL look at the Seahawks organization and start penalizing them?

This is too many players to merely be a coincidence.

Yeah, it's pretty clear there is something going on there.

 

[Carp]

They are saying it will be a year now.