Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner reportedly was facing a one-year suspension for violation of the substance-abuse policy. Some have interpreted Browner’s indefinite suspension as something worse than that.
It’s not.
The substance-abuse policy doesn’t impose one-year suspensions. For players who violate the policy while in Stage Three of the substance-abuse program, the penalty becomes an indefinite banishment. The banished player has the ability to apply for reinstatement after a year.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, that’s exactly what happened with Browner. He is suspended indefinitely, and he can reapply after a year.
That said, he plans to continue his fight. If Browner doesn’t succeed, he’ll be eligible to apply for reinstatement on December 18, 2014.