After a two-year legal battle, it appears all options have been exhausted for Will Smith and several other players.
The New Orleans Saints defensive end, who tested positive for a banned diuretic back in 2008, may have to finally serve a four-game suspension in accordance with the NFL's collectively bargained policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported the final legal barrier -- a Minnesota Court of a Appeals ruling on a suit filed by Vikings defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams, who also tested positive -- has been broken down by the league.
The Williamses claimed the NFL violated Minnesota state law by trying to discipline them. All along, players who tested positive for the diuretic claimed it was not on the label for StarCaps, which the players used as a weight-loss supplement.
However, the league held firm on its policy and can now suspend each of five players -- former Saints players Deuce McAllister and Charles Grant also are in the group -- who were found to have the diuretic in their system.
The league has not come forward and confirmed it will suspend the players. According to the Times-Picayune, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, "We are in the process of reviewing the decision and determining our next steps."
