As reported on NFL.com ... The NFL has decided against enforcing four-game suspensions of Saints starting defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith at this time, opening the way for the pair to play this week and possibly the whole 2009 season.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said it would be unfair to suspend the two Saints players now, when the league has been blocked from suspending Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for the same offense while their case is pending in Minnesota state court.
The four players, along with former Saints running back Deuce McAllister, all fought their suspensions last season after they tested positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide, which can be used to mask the presence of steroids.
The players argued that the league knew bumetanide had been detected in the over-the-counter weight-loss supplement, StarCaps, but failed to notify players who were using it. Bumetanide was not a listed ingredient in the product.
"This situation presents several unique and narrow aspects that I believe call for us to put the good of the game ahead of questions of discipline," Goodell said. "Considerations of fairness, uniform application of our policies, and competitive integrity all support deferring the suspensions at this time," Goodell said. "I am not prepared to treat players differently when the same conduct is involved."
-- Bob Kent, 11:14 p.m., September 15
