Judge blocks suspension of five players

A federal judge has blocked, at least temporarily, the suspensions handed down to five NFL players (Pat Williams and Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints) for violating anti-doping policy of the league.

More time is needed for passing a ruling on the case involving the NFL players, as per U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson.

From Espnstar.com:

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail to PA SportsTicker on Friday that the league is confident Magnuson will uphold the suspensions once he has time to fully review all aspects of the case.

"We welcome that scrutiny," Aiello said. "We are confident that, once he has had an opportunity to review all of the relevant materials, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he will uphold our longstanding agreements with the NFLPA that protect the health and safety of NFL players and the integrity of our game."

Magnuson heard arguments from attorneys for the players' union and the NFL in a three-hour hearing before rendering his decision shortly after a recess Friday.

The players were suspended Tuesday after testing positive for Bumetanide, a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of other substances, including steroids.

However, the NFLPA said in its lawsuit that league officials were aware that a supplement called StarCaps contained the banned substance but failed to share that information with players.

Magnuson wrote in his ruling that the case issues are contentious and complex and it is not easy to find out in two days that remain before the players at issue are next scheduled to take the field.