Vikings Edwards Suspended for Steroids
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on steroid use, ESPN.com reports.
Edwards has been a starter for most of the season and currently is tied for second on the team with four sacks. Edwards was coincidentally replaced by Erasmus James in the starting lineup last Sunday against the Lions, however according to coach Brad Childress the decision had nothing to do with Edward's violation, since Childress did not learn about the violation until Wednesday.
Childress was disappointed in Edwards but could not comment further due to the confidentiality surrounding the NFL's drug policy. Childress was quoted on startribune.com:
"It's disappointing, but there are policies in place and our players have to adhere to those policies," Childress said. "Every team goes through challenges as you go through the year. We've been through some of our own. It's an opportunity to have others step up."
The (6-6) Vikings will look to rookie Brian Robison and James to fill in for Edward's absence.
Edwards is in his second year, drafted out of Purdue in the fourth round. He has been one of the Vikings' most consistent performers at defensive end this season. Other than his four sacks, Edwards also has 41 tackles and a defense touchdown week 2 in Detroit.
Edwards is eligible to return after the last game of the season. He could play again only if the Vikings make the playoffs.
For this local sport's story I looked at ESPN.com, the nation's leader in sports news and our local news site, startribune.com. There was no difference in the stories at all. ESPN must have gotten this story from the Star Tribune, since the headline reads: EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN