Raiders CB Lawson suspended 4 games
ALAMEDA, CALIF .» Raiders corner back Nevin Lawson was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The league announced the decision Monday, one week after Lawson revealed he had tested positive for Ostarine despite “never knowingly” taking the substance.
Lawson signed a one-year deal with the Raiders in March after spending the past five seasons with the Detroit Lions. He was in the mix for one of the backup spots at cornerback for Oakland this season.
Lawson will be allowed to participate in the preseason and training camp practices. He will be eligible to play in the regular season after the Week 4 game at Indianapolis.
Running backs seek own union.
A petition has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to create a separate union for NFL running backs.
According to the website Law360, the petition was filed Thursday by the International Brotherhood of Professional Running Backs and focuses on the shorter careers for players at the position.
The NFL Management Council and the union have begun preliminary negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement. The current 10-year deal expires in March 2021.
Running backs often draw attention for their holdouts, with Dallas star Ezekiel Elliott currently missing Cowboys training camp. Last year, Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire season rather than sign his franchise tag tender with Pittsburgh. He subsequently became a free agent and signed with the New York Jets for $52.5 million over four years.
The average pro career for a running back is 2.57 years, by far the shortest of any position.
Browns DE Thomas avoids serious injury.
B ERE A , OHIO
»Browns defensive end Chad Thomas suffered a sprained neck but avoided a more serious injury during a scary moment at training camp.
Thomas was immobilized on the field and taken by ambulance to University Hospitals.
A team spokesman said Thomas, a third-round pick in 2018, was back at the Browns’ facility Monday evening. His return to practice will be evaluated on a day-today basis.