Reports: Seahawks’ Thurmond facing suspension
Nov 24, 2013, 12:47 PM | Updated: Nov 25, 2013, 9:28 am
By Brent Stecker
The Seahawks’ secondary has suffered another blow, as cornerback Walter Thurmond will reportedly be suspended for four games for allegedly violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
The news was first reported by the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
 Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond will reportedly be suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. (AP) |
Thurmond, typically a nickel corner, has been filling in for injured starter Brandon Browner in recent weeks. Browner has been sidelined with what coach Pete Carroll called last week a “serious groin pull.” The 10-1 Seahawks, who are on a bye this week and will continue play next Monday against New Orleans, will now be without his replacement for four games.
Thurmond reportedly does not plan to appeal the suspension so that he can return to the Seahawks in time for the playoffs, which would start the first week he is eligible to return.
Thurmond, a fourth-year player out of Oregon, has been a key role player this season for Seattle. He made his first career interception in the Seahawks’ last game, a win over Minnesota, and he returned the pick 29 yards for a touchdown. He has 31 combined tackles, a sack and a forced fumble this season.
Thurmond is the first Seattle player to be suspended during the 2013 season, but he is at the end of a long list of Seahawks to be penalized for drug-related violations over Carroll’s tenure.
Linebacker/defensive end Bruce Irvin missed the first four games of the season for a violation of the PED policy, while Browner and fellow cornerback Richard Sherman both tested positive for banned substances in 2012. Offensive lineman Allen Barbre and safety Winston Guy, both no longer with the team, served four-game suspensions in 2012 for drug-related violations, as did former offensive lineman John Moffitt in 2011.
