Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was in New York Friday for his appeal of the four-game suspension he received from the league for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Everyone’s still waiting to hear the results of that appeal, but, via Curtis Crabtree of PFT and KJR Radio, coach Pete Carroll said Friday that he anticipates having Sherman in the lineup against the 49ers. Sherman missed practice on both Thursday and Friday to travel to the league office for the appeal. Ed Werder of ESPN is reporting that the team doesn’t expect to hear anything from the league until next week about Sherman’s status.
Brandon Browner is currently serving his own four-game suspension for violating the PED policy, which would leave the Seahawks very short at corner if Walter Thurmond and Marcus Trufant aren’t able to play. Both players missed last week’s 50-17 win against the Bills and are game-time decisions this week after being able to practice on Friday. Their absence didn’t hurt the Seahawks against Buffalo, but the 49ers are a bit more likely to make a team pay for missing bodies on the defense.
If Sherman’s suspension is upheld next week, he’ll miss Week 17 and up to three Seahawks playoff games assuming the Seahawks wind up with a spot in the postseason. Browner would be eligible to return in the team’s first playoff game.