NFLPA goes to court to block suspensions

MINNEAPOLIS -- The NFL Players Association is suing to block five of the six player suspensions for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

The suit filed in federal court is on behalf of Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings, and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints.

The five players were suspended for testing positive for a banned diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for steroids. The diuretic was in a supplement that did not list the diuretic as an ingredient.

The suit says both the NFL-appointed doctor and the NFL lawyer who administers the league's steroids policy knew the supplement contained the banned drug but never advised the players. It alleges they breached their duty to the players and endangered their physical well-being.

It did not include Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman.