The NFL suspended Minnesota Vikings tackle Kevin Williams and New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith for the first two games of the season for violating the league's policy on banned substances.
A four-game punishment was initially levied against Williams, Smith and at least five other players in 2008 after they tested positive for a banned diuretic found in a weight-loss supplement in StarCaps.
Kevin Williams and fellow Vikings tackles Pat Williams (not related) appealed the suspensions, claiming the league was aware that StarCaps contained the banned substance bumetanide but failed to notify players.
A Minnesota district court judge issued a temporary injunction that barred the league from disciplining the players, but he also said the NFL could suspend the Williamses if it could prove they were not harmed by the delay.
Although Smith was not part of the lawsuit, the NFL was unable to suspend him until the case ran its course through the appeals process.
Kevin Willia...
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