Brandon Browner facing one-year suspension for substance abuse
Oct 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Seahawks corner back Brandon Browner, who has 19 tackles for Seattle this season, is facing a one-year suspension from the NFL for violating its substance abuse policy, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
On Monday, Schefter tweeted:
Seahawks CB Brandon Browner is facing a one-year suspension from NFL for violating substance-abuse policy, per NFL sources. He has appealed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 26, 2013
Browner, however, denies the allegations:
Browner missed the last four games of last season for violating the league’s PED policy, according to ESPN.com’s news services. He is currently recovering from a groin injury and was not expected to play until mid-December, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
Just over 24 hours ago, word broke that Walter Thurmond was suspended four games for using marijuana, a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
On Sunday, he tweeted:
I'm disappointed in myself for letting my teammates and family down.
— Walter Thurmond III (@WaltThurm3) November 24, 2013
To counter all of this, the Seahawks are trying to talk veteran corner Antoine Winfield out of retirement to join the team. Additionally, former Seahawk Marcus Trufant worked out for Seattle on Monday, according to Terry Blount at ESPN.com.
Blount also made a good point regarding the Seahawks recent problems with substance abuse recently:
"…most of the talk will center around the Seahawks’ continuing problems with these types of suspensions. Linebacker Bruce Irvin missed the first four games this year with a PED suspension. Cornerback Richard Sherman won an appeal last year at this time over a PED suspension, but sadly, the perception of guilt remained for some people."
It is also being reported that Browner’s suspension could end his career as a Seahawk, this according to NFL media columnist Michael Silver’s sources. Browner’s contract is set to expire at the end of this year.
The Seahawks currently have the best record in the NFL at 10-1, even without playing on Sunday. They will play host to the New Orleans Saints (9-2) on Monday Night Football in Week 13 with a number of distractions on their plate.
Their starting corner backs, along side Richard Sherman, could be Jeremy Lane, Byron Maxwell, Winfield or Trufant. It just depends on how the next week goes.