The Seattle Seahawks' playoff hopes hit a road block on Sunday and not just with the 24-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Shortly after the game, Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted that two of Seattle's cornerbacks, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, are facing four-game suspensions for violating the NFL's performance enhancing drug policy. Albert Breer of NFL.com later confirmed the report.
Mike Garafolo of USA Today reported that he was told Sherman and Browner had been using Adderall. Atlanta's backup offensive lineman Joe Hawley was recently suspended for four games for testing positive for Adderall.
Both Sherman and Browner have played major roles in the Seahawks' success on defense, which ranks third in the NFL in opposing passing yards. The two have combined for seven of the team's nine interceptions.
Browner was a Pro Bowler last season.
According to Shefter, both Sherman and Browner plan to appeal.
As pointed out by ProFootballTalk, the players will continue to play until their appeals are heard and resolved. The Week 12 loss to Miami drops the Seahawks to 6-5 and their playoff hopes may hinge on the availability of their talented -- and allegedly tainted -- defenders.
UPDATE Sherman reacted to the reports of his potential suspension on Twitter hours after the game.
More from the Associated Press:
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks say they "are aware" of a report that cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner are facing four-game suspensions for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The Seahawks released a short statement late Sunday after arriving back in Seattle following their 24-21 loss in Miami. ESPN.com first reported Sunday afternoon, citing unnamed sources, that Seattle's starting cornerbacks had tested positive and were planning to appeal the suspensions.
Shortly after returning to Seattle, Sherman posted on his Twitter account, "This is issue will be resolved soon and the truth will come out. Not worried."
Browner and Sherman are the key components of Seattle's aggressive, physical secondary. The report came shortly after the Seahawks gave up 17 fourth-quarter points to the Dolphins in a loss that could damage Seattle's playoff hopes.
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