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Chargers' second-year linebacker Shawne Merriman will play at least the next two weeks as he awaits a hearing to appeal his pending four-game suspension for violating the National Football League's substance abuse policy, according to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Merriman the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, tested positive for a banned substance earlier this month. His appeal hearing, according to the Union-Tribune, is tentatively set for Nov. 7.
Merriman's attorney reportedly said Tuesday he thought the substance for which Merriman tested positive was the anabolic steroid nandrolone.
David Cornwell, who has represented numerous NFL players in such appeals, said he believed nandrolone was — unbeknownst to Merriman — in a nutritional supplement the young linebacker has taken for some time. "He's not taking steroids," Cornwell reportedly said of Merriman. " ... Shawne took supplements and has taken supplements for quite some time. He did not go into the back alley somewhere and put a needle in his butt for steroids."
Merriman the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, tested positive for a banned substance earlier this month. His appeal hearing, according to the Union-Tribune, is tentatively set for Nov. 7.
Merriman's attorney reportedly said Tuesday he thought the substance for which Merriman tested positive was the anabolic steroid nandrolone.
David Cornwell, who has represented numerous NFL players in such appeals, said he believed nandrolone was — unbeknownst to Merriman — in a nutritional supplement the young linebacker has taken for some time. "He's not taking steroids," Cornwell reportedly said of Merriman. " ... Shawne took supplements and has taken supplements for quite some time. He did not go into the back alley somewhere and put a needle in his butt for steroids."
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