Williamses rejoin practice, await ruling on their appeals

By CHIP SCOGGINS and JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: November 22, 2008 - 12:12 AM

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Defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams were at practice Friday after returning early in the morning from their appeals hearings at the NFL offices in New York.

Both players declined to comment about their respective meetings Thursday with league officials. They are reportedly among a group of six to eight players who face four-game suspensions for violating the NFL's steroid policy after testing positive for a banned diuretic that can serve as a masking agent for steroids.

The Williamses had separate hearings, with Kevin's starting first in the morning. The appeals lasted all day, wrapping up around midnight.

"Because I wasn't there, I don't know," Childress said when asked about the hearings. "I have no idea. I just know that they had a forum and it was pretty comprehensive."

Both players had team and legal representation that included Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and Kevin Warren, the Vikings vice president of legal affairs and chief administrative officer. A decision isn't expected next week and at the earliest would come during the first week of December. The Vikings would have four games left at that point.

Childress said his Pro Bowl defensive tackles did not seem to be worn down when they returned to Winter Park, calling them "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed." As for having missed a day of practice, Childress seemed confident the Williamses would be up to speed for Sunday's game in Jacksonville.

"Those guys are professionals and [defensive line coach Karl Dunbar] will get them up to speed with what was going on," Childress said. "It was a pretty good review today with things that they missed [Thursday]. It's not like we don't do anything [Saturday]. That mock game is kind of a redo of the redo."