Nearly a month after it was first reported the Seattle Seahawks cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner were facing four-game suspensions for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Sherman’s appeal has finally been scheduled.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Sherman’s hearing is expected to take place this Friday. Browner is already serving his suspension after dropping his appeal two weeks ago. Sherman’s appeal had initially been scheduled for last Friday, Dec. 14, before being pushed back an extra week.
Sherman has maintained his innocence throughout the appeals process. Sherman reportedly has tested positive for amphetamines with Adderall being the supposed culprit.
It’s unlikely a ruling on the appeal would be levied before the Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night making Sherman still eligible to play. If he is suspended after this weekend, Sherman will miss the team’s final regular season game against the St. Louis Rams and up to three games in the playoffs.
With the Seahawks looking likely to earn the 5-seed in the NFC, he could be eligible to return for the Super Bowl. If Seattle doesn’t advance that far, any remaining games would carry over to the start of the 2013 season. If Seattle somehow ended up as the 2-seed (which is a very remote possibility), he would be gone for the entire postseason.
Browner has already served two games of his suspension and will be eligible to return for the playoffs. Rookie safety Winston Guy just completed a four-game suspension for a PED violation and has been reinstated by the team. The league has granted a one week roster exemption for Guy allowing him to return to practice. Seattle will have to activate him to the 53-man roster by next Monday.