Thursday, November 20, 2008

The independent administrator of the NFL's steroid-testing program learned in late 2006 that a weight-loss product contained a banned diuretic but didn't disclose the information to players, according to an attorney representing three New Orleans Saints who face possible suspensions for testing positive for the substance.

Attorney David Cornwell indicated the prior knowledge was revealed by John Lombardo's testimony during yesterday's appeal hearing for Saints RB Deuce McAllister and DEs Will Smith and Charles Grant, who each face possible four-game suspensions.

Cornwell said in a written statement, according to the Associated Press, that Lombardo testified he didn't disclose the information because he feared such a warning to players about that particular product would be used as a defense by players facing possible discipline for violating the NFL's testing policy for use of other weight-loss products.

· VIKINGS: The NFL fined DE Jared Allen $25,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers during a game 10 days ago. Minnesota Coach Brad Childress announced the league's punishment yesterday.

Allen met with league officials Tuesday at the NFL's offices in New York.

· BUCS: RB Earnest Graham was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Graham, the team's leading rusher, suffered an ankle injury last weekend, and Coach Jon Gruden had indicated Graham's season could be over.

Tampa Bay is likely to make Warrick Dunn its centerpiece runner. The team also could get some carries soon for Carnell Williams, who was activated last week from the physically unable to perform list.

· BROWNS: The injury to TE Kellen Winslow during Monday night's victory over the Buffalo Bills is a sprained shoulder, according to the team. It's not clear whether Winslow will play against the Houston Texans, but the Browns reportedly don't expect him to be sidelined for an extended period.

-- Mark Maske

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