NFL hears Texan’s appeal in drug case Posted on November 4th
Long-snapper Bryan Pittman of the Houston Texans met with NFL officials in New York to appeal a possible suspension after testing positive for the weight-loss diuretic bumetanide.
Bumetanide is banned under the league’s steroids policy because it is considered a masking agent for steroids.
But Pittman’s lawyer, David Cornwell, said in a statement following the meeting: “Bryan is gratified that the evidence confirmed that he did not take steroids.”
Pittman is one of six to eight players said to be under investigation for taking bumetanide.
Jamar Nesbit and Deuce McAllister of the Saints have said they tested positive for the drug after using an over-the-counter weight-loss pill called StarCaps. The makers of StarCaps suspended shipments of the product last week after accusations it contains the banned substance, but does not list it as an ingredient. Nesbit, who has already served a four-game suspension, filed suit against StarCaps last week.
Browns. Quarterback Derek Anderson has been benched and Cleveland will start second-year backup Brady Quinn on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.
The switch was announced by the team just hours after coach Romeo Crennel said he had no plans to make a change.
A team spokesman said Crennel and Quinn - the No. 22 pick overall in the 2007 draft out of Notre Dame - would not be available for comment until today.
Also, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, forced to sit out the 2008 season because of a staph infection in his surgically repaired right knee, plans to come back next season with the Browns.
Giants. New York has until tomorrow to make a decision on the future of receiver David Tyree.
Tyree, who made “The Catch” in the Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in February, was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list before the start of training camp because he was still recovering from off-season knee surgery.
The Giants can either move Tyree to the active roster, cut him, or place him on injured reserve, which would end his season.
Seahawks. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck may return to practice this week for the first time in more than a month, Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said, adding that Seneca Wallace is still the starter.
Defensive end Patrick Kerney is having surgery this week in Alabama on a previously repaired left shoulder. Holmgren said Seattle’s top pass rusher could miss either a couple of weeks or the rest of this season.
Saints. New Orleans placed starting defensive end Charles Grant on injured reserve with a triceps injury and re-signed defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who played for the Eagles from 1996 to 2005.
Lions. Detroit turned to a former Pro Bowl quarterback for help in trying to win its first game of the season.
Daunte Culpepper has agreed to a two-year deal with the Lions (0-8) and said he would sign it after taking a physical. Culpepper was a first-round pick by Minnesota in 1999.
Bears. One day after leaving the field on a cart, Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton was undergoing more tests on his right ankle to determine the extent of his injury.
Orton was injured in the final minute of the first half in Sunday’s 27-23 victory over the Detroit Lions, forcing the Bears to turn to former starter Rex Grossman.
Jurisprudence. A former Denver Broncos player accused of killing a motor scooter driver in a hit-and-run collision in Aurora, Colo., waived his preliminary hearing and a judge set his arraignment for Dec. 11.
Billy Jenkins faces charges of vehicular homicide in the death of 51-year-old Tracy Gill. He also is charged with leaving the scene, driving under the influence, and failure to provide insurance.
Noteworthy. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, a product of West Chester East, will be out at least two weeks because of an injury to his left knee, coach Gary Kubiak said. . . . Minnesota could be without defensive end Jared Allen, who sprained his right shoulder, for this weekend’s game against Green Bay. . . . Safety Donte Whitner is out indefinitely with a separated right shoulder, Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said. . . . Denver placed running backs Michael Pittman (neck) and Andre Hall (left hand) on injured reserve, ending their seasons.