Appeal on hold, Sherman to play for Seahawks on Sunday

ERIC D. WILLIAMS

TORONTO – Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman made the long trip east with the rest of his team to Canada, and is expected to play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Sherman reportedly was scheduled to have an appeal with the league Friday to contest his four-game suspension for allegedly violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy by testing positive for an amphetamine-like substance.

However, Sherman said this week, later confirmed by the league’s website, that the appeal was postponed.

Sherman practiced with the team Friday before travelling to Toronto.

A spokesperson for the NFL declined to comment on the matter. Sherman’s agent, Kevin Postman, did not return an email message seeking comment by The Olympian.

Sherman practiced all week leading up to Sunday’s game in anticipation of playing against the Bills.

“The truth always comes out,” Sherman said about the issue last week. “You just go on. The process is going to play out how it’s going to play out. And when you know what you know, you just continue to be confident, continue to go out there and play.”

However, fellow cornerback Brandon Browner will serve the second of a four-game suspension this weekend after dropping his appeal for allegedly testing positive for an amphetamine-like substance.

Browner’s replacement last week, Walter Thurmond, also is not available because of a hamstring injury suffered during Wednesday’s practice. So second-year pro Byron Maxwell likely will get his first career start Sunday.

Meanwhile, rookie safety Winston Guy, who also is serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, will be eligible to return next week after sitting out the final contest of his four-game suspension this weekend against Buffalo.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@ thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks @eric_d_williams