Williamses case order is appealed

Although it's unclear if the move will have any impact on the case, the NFL has appealed Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson's temporary restraining order that has enabled Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams to continue playing while their legal case against the league is pending.

Peter Ginsberg, the lawyer for the Williamses, said Tuesday night that the appeal was filed shortly before a three-judge panel of the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision last week affirming earlier rejections of the NFL's argument that federal courts have jurisdiction over the labor laws that govern its drug-testing program.

The NFL suspended the Williamses for four games each in December for taking bumetanide, a diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for steroids. It's uncertain if a hearing will be held at all on this latest appeal.

Last week's ruling was important because it almost certainly will allow the Williamses to play in 2009 while keeping the remains of the case in Hennepin County, where Larson already has said he likely wouldn't force the players into a civil trial during the season. A trial could be held just after the season or in the spring.

In their lawsuit, the Williamses contend the NFL's drug-testing procedures violate Minnesota workplace laws, and they asked that a judge void their suspensions.

With no decision appearing to be close, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that for now, the league has decided against enforcing the four-game suspensions of New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith for using bumetanide. Goodell cited the fact it would not be fair to suspend Grant and Smith while the Williamses are able to continue playing.

"This situation presents several unique and narrow aspects that I believe call for us to put the good of the game ahead of questions of discipline," Goodell said. "Considerations of fairness, uniform application of our policies, and competitive integrity all support deferring the suspensions at this time."

Goodell said he hoped the NFL Players Association would begin working with the league to resolve the matter now that federal courts "have rejected the NFLPA's improper challenge to our collectively bargained program."

Running back Adrian Peterson will appear on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated only days after he rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' 34-20 victory over the Browns.

The magazine is due on newsstands today and will feature the Pro Bowl back with the headline "Dominator."

In the article, he is asked if he's the best running back in the NFL. "I answer that question this way," he told SI. "I want people to remember me as the best player to ever play the game. When you think about football, I want to pop up in your head."

• Brett Favre's jersey was not only the best-selling jersey for any NFL player from April 2009 to the end of the preseason but the quarterback also had the top seller in 19 states, according to the Wall Street Journal. Favre is one of only eight NFL players whose jersey was the top seller in more than one state.

Staff writer Rochelle Olson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.