Reports: Seahawks CB Browner faces one-year ban
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner faces a one-season suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, ESPN and NFL Network reported Monday.
Browner was suspended the final four games of the 2012 regular season for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The new ban reportedly doesn't involve PEDs.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Browner was unsuccessful in an appeal of the ban. Mortensen wrote on Twitter: "Means he won't play again for Seahawks. Also a free agent in March"
Earlier Monday, NFL Network's Michael Silver reported that Browner faces a second suspension based on PED use. However, Browner responded on Twitter: "I'm not facing suspension for PEDs, it's sad that the NFL is reporting this."
Silver then revised the story to indicate that instead of an eight-game PED ban, Browner is looking at a season-long ban for substance abuse. ESPN's Adam Schefter, citing league sources, also reported that Browner would receive a one-season suspension.
Browner did not play last week due to a groin injury, and he was not scheduled to return for several more weeks.
Browner's suspension would be the second assessed to a Seahawks cornerback in a matter of days. Walter Thurmond is expected to miss the final four games of the regular season for a suspension for a violation of the substance-abuse policy, ESPN and NFL.com reported.