| While he has been suspended by the NFL for four | | | | against the Browns game, road games against |
| weeks, San Diego Chargers star outside | | | | Cincinnati and Denver, and a home game against |
| linebacker Shawne Merriman denies having used | | | | Oakland. If he had made an appeal and lost it, he |
| any form of steroid claiming that he is a victim of | | | | might have been forced to miss two more |
| the NFL drug testing policy. Merriman blamed a | | | | additional games against Denver, which shares the |
| tainted supplement after he has been tested | | | | AFC West lead with the Chargers at 5-2. |
| positive for the Nandrolone steroid. He will be able | | | | Merriman just started his pro-bowl career and has |
| to return on the field with the Chargers on Nov. | | | | been elected the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the |
| 27. | | | | Year. Merriman refused to disclose the name of |
| The second-year veteran, who is also tying for | | | | the supplement that led to the positive test |
| the league's lead with 8.5 sacks, decided to make | | | | explaining he is planning to sue the manufacturer. |
| an appeal to the NFL's decision on Tuesday. | | | | He explained that it is only an over-the-counter |
| Merriman could have to go to a league's hearing | | | | supplement. He was the same supplement for 1.5 |
| on Nov. 7, allowing him to play in Sunday's home | | | | years. He always came clean after three |
| game against the Browns. But he estimated that | | | | consecutive drug tests. But he has been tested |
| his chances of winning the appeal would be too | | | | positive on Aug. 2nd. Merriman explained that he |
| slim since the players are held responsible for the | | | | was taking this supplement to restore his energy |
| supplements that they take. Because of his | | | | during the off-season when he was working out |
| suspension, Merriman will miss important games | | | | two or three times a day. |