Peninsula Daily News
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Cornerback Walter Thurmond is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse (non-performance enhancing drug), NFL Network “insider” Ian Rapoport reported on NFL Network’s “NFL GameDay Morning” today.
The Seahawks had no mention or confirmation on their website, seahawks.com, this morning.
Thurmond is appealing the suspension, but he plans to drop that appeal early next week to return in time for the playoffs, Rapoport said.
The loss of Thurmond is another blow to the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” secondary, which already is without Brandon Browner (groin) for four to six weeks.
Thurmond, a soon-to-be unrestricted free-agent, had been playing well, recording 31 tackles this season, including a 29-yard pick six against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.
The fourth-year Seahawk — a fourth-round pick in 2010 out of Oregon — has played in every game this year and is considered the strongest backup in the “Legion of Boom,” with 31 tackles.
The backups now are Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane, joining star Richard Sherman in the defensive secondary.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Seahawks as they prepare to host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints at CenturyLink Field on Monday, Dec. 2.
The 10-1 Seahawks, who are in the bye this weekend, enter the toughest portion of their schedule in December, including a rematch with the 49ers Dec. 8 in San Francisco and games at CenturyLink against division rivals Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.
