Eagles CB Joselio Hanson was suspended four games for violating the NFL's steroids policy. His layert is claiming Hanson took a diuretic. Jack Ikegwuono was elevated from the practice squad to take his place on the roster.
Hanson's lawyer David Cornwell released this statement:
"Before last year’s NFC Championship Game, Joselio Hanson felt “bloated” after eating Chinese food and ingested a pill that turned out to be a diuretic. The urine specimen that Joselio provided after the game tested positive for a diuretic. Joselio did not use steroids or any other substance that would enhance his performance.
"By agreement, Joselio’s appeal under the NFL’s steroid policy was delayed pending a negotiated resolution of the StarCaps matter. Throughout the Spring and Summer, the discussions among the parties included changing discipline that would be imposed for a first positive test for diuretics. This consideration was guided by the near-universal recognition that diuretics are rarely used to mask steroid use. It is noteworthy that the World Anti-Doping Agency recently implemented amendments that eviscerate the misplaced presumption about diuretics embedded in the NFL’s steroid policy and reduce discipline for diuretics to include warnings and, where appropriate, suspension.
"Subsequent to the recent judicial and administrative rulings in the StarCaps matter, Joselio’s appeal was scheduled for October 27, 2009. The hearing confirmed that the NFLPA and NFL Management Council have exchanged proposals regarding diuretics, with each party proposing substantial reductions in the discipline to be imposed for the first positive test for diuretics. Under the current competing proposals, no player would be suspended for four (4) games for the first positive test for diuretics.
"Recognizing that treatment of diuretics under the NFL steroid policy likely will be changed, we urged the NFL’s hearing officer to withhold a decision in Joselio’s case pending an agreement between the NFLPA and the NFLMC regarding diuretics. We also argued that the accommodation allowing the “StarCaps players” to continue playing supported allowing Joselio to continue playing as well. Our appeal to fairness was rejected and Joselio was notified yesterday that he is suspended for four (4) games, effective immediately.
"We are disappointed. Joselio accepts his responsibilities as an NFL player. Nonetheless, we suspect that he is a casualty of the looming labor war in the NFL. Here’s hoping that he is the last."
Meanwhile, linebacker Akeem Jordan is out of practice with a hyperextended knee and does not look promising for Sunday.
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