The NFL has decided against enforcing four-game suspensions of Charles Grant and Will Smith at this time, opening the way for the New Orleans Saints' starting defensive ends 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 linemen Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for the same offense while their case is pending in Minnesota state court.
"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."
The Saints had the day off yesterday and were scheduled to return to practice today in preparation for Sunday's game against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
The four players, along with running back Deuce McAllister - who the Saints released in February - all fought their suspensions last season after they tested positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide, which can be used to mask the presence 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.
In other news, the Saints brought back kick return specialist and reserve receiver Courtney Roby and waived tight end Buck Ortega.
Noteworthy
* Kansas City coach Todd Haley says quarterback Matt Cassel remains a question mark for the Chiefs' home opener Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Cassel missed last week's season opening loss at Baltimore with a left knee injury he got in the third preseason game Aug. 29.
Haley said the decision to start Brodie Croyle against the Ravens was not made until shortly before kickoff, but that he hopes to get a good reading on Cassel much earlier this week.
* New England coach Bill Belichick said he doesn't think linebacker Jerod Mayo - last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year - will miss the rest of the season due to a right knee injury he suffered in the first quarter of Monday night's win over Buffalo.
Belichick said the next update on Mayo's condition will come on the team's practice participation report today.
* San Diego center Nick Hardwick sprained his left ankle and rookie right guard Louis Vasquez sprained a knee in the Chargers' 24-20 comeback win over the Oakland Raiders Monday night. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson also sprained an ankle.
Coach Norv Turner said Tuesday that Hardwick, Vasquez and Tomlinson aren't expected to practice today as the Chargers begin preparing for the Ravens.
* New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley was officially reinstated from the reserve/suspended list. Boley was suspended by the league for the season opener because of a domestic violence issue when he played in Atlanta last season.
In other news, former San Diego running back Gartrell Johnson was awarded to the Giants off waivers. And, the Giants waived defensive lineman Leger Douzable and released offensive lineman Tutan Reyes.
* The Cleveland Browns waived linebacker Leon Williams. He played in 14 games last season and was also on special teams.
* Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens, who had just two catches for 46 yards in Monday night's 25-24 loss to the New England Patriots, felt the need to tweet after the game.
"Congrats 2 the Pats!! On the bus headed 2 airport. Cn't wait 2 get hm & get n the bed!" Owens wrote on his Twitter account. "We'll b ready next week! I promise u that!!"
The Bills host Tampa Bay on Sunday.
