Henderson suspended 10 games
The NFL suspended Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson for 10 games for what the player’s agent said stems from his client using marijuana to relieve the effects of Crohn’s disease.
The Bills announced the league notified them on Tuesday of Henderson’s suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. It’s Henderson’s second suspension this year after he served a four-game ban to start the season.
Henderson’s agent, Brian Fettner, called the decision “heartbreaking,” and added he cannot appeal the suspension because the NFL doesn’t allow an exemption for medical marijuana use.
“His situation is unique, but the drug policy doesn’t line up with the uniqueness. It’s disappointing,” Fettner said. “The reality is, the NFL’s position has been if you need medical marijuana then you’re too sick to play. But that’s just not the case for Seantrel Henderson.”
Peterson progressing: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is moving forward in the recovery from surgery on his right knee. Peterson ran some short sprints in the team’s indoor facility on Tuesday, while the athletic training staff supervised and his teammates went through practice.
With five games remaining in the regular season, there’s no timetable for Peterson’s return, but the four-time all-pro pick could still be ready in December.
Cleared: Robert Griffin III has been cleared by doctors to play again this season but still needs Browns coach Hue Jackson’s blessing. Griffin passed a final medical test on his injured left shoulder and can now take full contact, paving the way for the quarterback to play on Dec. 11 when the winless Browns return from a bye week against Cincinnati.
Griffin hasn’t played since the season opener — his debut for Cleveland — when he broke a bone in his shoulder while scrambling.
Final sentence: A judge in Los Angeles has sentenced former NFL star Darren Sharper to 20 years in prison for raping two women and drugging two others, but under terms that would total about half that time in custody.
The sentencing Tuesday marks the end of prosecutions in four states for the former all-pro safety who won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints and played for Green Bay and Minnesota.