According to the Houston Chronicle, the NFL has suspended Texans’ left tackle Duane Brown four games for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.
If Brown had filed an appeal, he could have continued to play until commissioner Roger Goodell made a ruling.
“After reviewing the appeal process and speaking with legal counsel, I have decided not to appeal my suspension,” Brown said. “I understand the rules and accept my punishment. I vow to learn from this mistake and be a better player and teammate because of it.”
Brown was the team’s first-round draft choice in 2008. He was mentored that season by Salaam, who had helped mentor Charles Spencer in 2006.
“We are disappointed that Duane Brown has been suspended,” general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. “This is a significant blow to our team. Our players have to understand that they are responsible for what goes into their bodies and that they take risks anytime they use a supplement not approved by the NFL.
“Our head athletic trainer (Geoff Kaplan), head strength and conditioning coach (Derek Smith) as well as our team nutritionist (Roberta Anding) have had many meetings and presentations constantly reminding our players about the dangers of the supplement industry and risks associated with taking non-approved products.
It’s never a good time for a team to lose its starting left tackle, but this is especially bad timing for the Texans with DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys coming to town. Dallas has played like a bowl of cooked baby diapers the past two weeks, but Ware could have a field day playing against Brown’s backup, Rashad Butler.
This is highly disappointing news for a team coming off two big wins in the first two weeks of the season. It’s good to see Brown take responsibility for his actions, but his selfish act could really hurt Houston over the next four games.
