Reports: Vikings’ Smith faces season-long ban
Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith will be suspended for the season by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy a third time, according to two reports.
Pending an appeal, Smith will be forced to sit out the 2005 season, ESPN.com and The Star Tribune reported Thursday.
Smith skipped a drug test, which qualifies as a violation under league policy, ESPN.com reported, citing two unidentified team sources. Smith had already violated league policy twice and served a four-game suspension last season.
The Star Tribune, citing an unidentified league source, reported on its Web site that the NFL has notified Smith of its decision. The newspaper did not specify the violation.
Browns’ Winslow tore ligament
Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he crashed his motorcycle, two sources within the league told the Associated Press, placing his 2005 season in doubt.
An injury such as Winslow’s typically requires 10 to 12 months of rehabilitation.
Winslow, who wrecked his high-powered bike while riding in a parking lot on May 1, will get a second medical opinion before surgery is scheduled, said the sources, who have knowledge of his injuries and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Although the Browns have Winslow’s medical test results, the club cannot disclose the nature of his injuries because they have not received permission from Winslow or his family.
Sauerbrun traded to Denver
The Carolina Panthers traded Todd Sauerbrun to the Denver Broncos, ridding themselves of their talented but troubled punter.
Denver sent punter Jason Baker and its seventh-round draft choice in 2006 to Carolina in exchange for Sauerbrun, a two-time Pro Bowler.
Considered by many to be the best punter in the NFL, Sauerbrun has created numerous headaches both on and off the field for the Panthers. Most recently, he was one of three players named in a CBS report as having obtained illegal steroid prescriptions from a South Carolina doctor under federal investigation.
“Jerry Rice has talked with Broncos coach Mike Shanahan about the possibility of playing in Denver next season, his agent said.
Eagles sign Johnson to extension
The Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to a four-year contract extension.
Johnson joined the Eagles in January 1999 and has since led one of the top defense’s in the league.
“As I’ve said many times, Jim Johnson is the best in the business at what he does,” head coach Andy Reid said. “His defensive units continue to produce at a very high level as he puts a lot of pressure on opposing offenses. Jim is a valuable member of the Eagles organization and we’re happy to keep him here for the next several years.”