While the case of Pat and Kevin Williams of the Vikings is still being fought in court, another Vikings player was suspended for violating the anti-doping policy of the NFL. Backup linebacker Erin Henderson was suspended for 4 games Tuesday for performance-enhancing substance which is a violation of the league’s policy. Henderson will not be able to play for the final 3 regular-season games and first playoff game. It is not yet clear what particular steroid or performance enhancing drug that caused his suspension. He will not be permitted to practice with the team and barred from the Winter Park as a result of the sanction.

Erin Henderson is the younger brother of E.J. Henderson who is also a linebacker. E.J. was on the injured list when he broke his left leg last December 6. The Minnesota Vikings already filled up the vacuum left by the Hendersons by signing in linebacker J Leman and cornerback DeAndre Wright. The two were already seen practicing with the team.

Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings coach was disappointed on the sanction given to Henderson. “It’s always disappointing to lose good football players,” he said. “His state of mind wasn’t great when he left here, but he knew it was on the table. I expect him to take good care of himself here in the next four weeks, and we’ll see what unfolds,” Childress added when he spoke to the media.

Based on the statement published by twincities.com, Childress said that he is not alarmed on the multiple suspensions involving his players but still prefer of not having any. “Really, all different circumstances,” Childress said. “Not an overwhelming concern. Would I prefer none? Yeah,” he said.

On the other hand, the NFL suffered another setback on their request for reconsideration with the federal court. On Monday, the federal appeals court rejected their request for a rehearing of the case of Minnesota Vikings Pat and Kevin Williams. Last September, the court ruled in favor of the Williamses citing the Minnesota state laws which was violated by the league’s action. The decision was contested by the league since they will not be able to implement a uniform anti-doping standard nationwide. Other sports organizations supported this move by the NFL saying that their ability to impose policies against steroids and performance enhancing drugs will be affected.

The NFL was still fortunate that 4 of the 11 judges of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made dissenting opinions. The NFL spokesperson, Greg Aiello, said that they were encouraged by the decision. “While we would have preferred the full Court of Appeals to hear the case, we are encouraged that four members of the court took the rare and extraordinary step of dissenting and doing so at length,” Aiello said to the Canadian Press. “They identified the flaws in the original three-member panel’s decision and agreed with our position,” he added. The league is also considering another option by bringing the case to the Supreme Court. According to Aiello, the NFL remains confident in both the eventual outcome of the litigation and the importance of maintaining a uniform, national policy on performance enhancing drugs.

The next hearing was scheduled on March 8 in Minneapolis. The suspension of Pat and Kevin Williams and two more players were put on hold while the case is still being heard in court. The case of the Vikings players stemmed from the Starcaps supplement which contained a diuretic banned by the league. Bumetanide, which can mask the use of steroids, was not disclosed on the label.

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