NEW YORK, Dec 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Al
Woods was suspended four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the
league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, the team announced.
The ban comes four days after the NFL issued Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon
an indefinite suspension for violations involving performance-enhancing
substances and substances of abuse.
Woods will miss Seattle’s final two regular-season games and part of the
playoffs. He would be able to return to the Seahawks for the National
Conference finals and Super Bowl if they advance that far.
“There’s not much we can say about it,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said
Friday. “He has been a great kid in our program.”
Woods, 32, started five games for the Seahawks this season, helping ease
the absence of Jarran Reed for a six-game suspension due to a violation of
the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Woods has made 32 tackles, one a quarterback sack, for Seattle this season,
playing on a rotating basis since Reed’s return.
After first playing in the NFL in 2010 with Tampa Bay, Woods has spent time
with Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Indianapolis as well as the Seahawks.
At 11-3, the Seahawks are level with New Orleans, San Francisco and Green
Bay for the best record in the National Conference. All of them have clinched
berths in the NFL playoffs.