Falcons LB James is unavailable for first four regular-season games

The Atlanta Falcons linebacker Robert James now can take some more time to wear his favorite Brett Favre jersey while preparing for his first regular-season game, which will be four week later than his team’s first one. According to reports, the NFL has suspended the third-year linebacker for four regular season games for violation against the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substance.

So James will get more preparing time than his teammates as he will be eligible to participate in team’s training camp and the preseason as well as practice facility. However, what the linebacker really worries about is that his starting job might be taken away during the time he is absent. The former fifth-round draft pick in 2008 had already lost his favor with Falcons head coach Mike Smith since the arrival of first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon. A lot of people are expecting that the rookie linebacker will win a competition for the starting role at linebacker to replace James during the veteran’s absence.

If Weatherspoon can prove that he is a much better linebacker than James, he could remain the starter even after James returns for the Falcons’ fifth regular-season game. In that case, James may regret a lot for not taking care of his off-field issues.

Eagles CB Hanson received four-game suspension for diuretic use

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Joselio Hanson would be suspended for four games because he tested positive for a diuretic after last year’s NFC title game against the Arizona Cardinals.

However, Hanson’s attorney, David Cornwell said that the player did not use any steroid. He tested positive because he ingested a pill that turned out to be a diuretic. The player ingested the pill because he felt uncomfortable after eating some Chinese food. Cornwell also said the NFL’s policy on diuretics is misguided by the assumption that diuretics are used to mask the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The Eagles will replace Hanson with cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, who is in his second year of wearing Eagles jersey, by promoting him from the practice squad. And the spot in the practice squad will be filled by cornerback Stoney Woodson.