Merriman Drops Appeal of Suspension

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman dropped his appeal of his four-game suspension imposed by the league for a positive test under the NFL's steroid-testing program.

Merriman, who's tied for the NFL lead with 8-1/2 sacks, is to begin serving his suspension immediately and is to miss the Chargers' next four games, beginning Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. He reportedly will be allowed to address his teammates Wednesday before being banned from the club's training facility for the remainder of the suspension.

His appeal was to have been heard on Nov. 7, and Merriman would have been eligible to play in the meantime.

Merriman's attorney, David Cornwell, has said that Merriman likely tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone that was contained in a supplement that Merriman was taking.

But under the league's policy, a player is responsible for what's in his body even if he unwittingly takes a banned substance contained in a supplement. The NFL Players Association has a program to test supplements and clear those that don't contain banned substances, but a player's participation in that program is voluntary.

By Mark Maske |  October 31, 2006; 5:15 PM ET  | Category:  Chargers , Steroids
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