Report: Vikings DTs could be suspended

Fox Sports reported Sunday morning that Pro Bowl defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams could both be suspended four games for the use of “water pills,” a weight-cutting substance.

A pair of Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackles, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, could be facing four-game suspensions for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

Glazer reported the infractions for the Vikings as stemming from their use of “water pills,” a product that helps people lose weight, but that falls under the NFL’s substance abuse policy because it can also be used to mask other substances, according to Glazer’s written report on FoxSports.com.

“It's a shame that players who use such pills, which are readily available at drug stores and health food stores, are swept in the same category as those who … test positive for juicing,” Glazer wrote.

The NFL had no comment and the Vikings don’t comment on matters related to the NFL’s substance abuse policy, team spokesman Bob Hagan said. A text message to Pat Williams was not returned.

The Williams duo isn’t alone in the latest reported rash of players who are appealing suspension from positive tests for the use of the pills. According to media reports, the New Orleans Saints’ Will Smith, Charles Grant and Deuce McAllister were also slapped with pending suspensions, and Glazer reported that Falcons DT Grady Jackson is also appealing a suspension. Saints offensive guard Jamar Nesbit already served a four-game suspension from the use of the pills.

The loss of both of the Vikings’ interior Pro Bowl defensive linemen could be devastating to a run defense that ranked No. 3 in the league and first in the NFC entering the weekend. The Vikings already lost middle linebacker E.J. Henderson for the season with a foot injury, and his backup, David Herron, was unable to play last weekend because of an injury.

The Vikings had a bye this weekend and return to practice on Monday.

Kevin Williams has 41 tackles, six sacks and 14 quarterback hurries, and Pat Williams has 29 tackles.