New Orleans Saints McAllister, Smith Win Federal Injunction; Avoid Suspension

Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive end Will Smith won an injunction in a Minnesota District Court, effectively blocking their four game suspensions, at least temporarily.

Tuesday the NFL announced the suspension of McAllister and Smith along with three other players for testing positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide.

Bumetanide is an  ingredient found in the weight loss supplement StarCaps. StarCaps promoted itself as an all-natural substance and did not list bumetanide in its ingredient list, a substance considered a masking agent for steroids by the NFL.

The NFLPA stepped up to aid the players after news of the suspensions broke by filing the temporary injunction on the players behalf.

The five players involved have very strong cases in appealing their positive test's, citing the maker of StarCaps for withholding information regarding it's contents.

Most notably the players are pointing the finger at the league itself, whom had knowledge StarCaps contained bumetanide, but did not disclose the information when asked; clearly a conflict of interest.

The fact that McAllister and Smith are now eligible to play puts New Orleans in a tough spot as they are required to keep newly signed linebacker's/defensive end's Ron Ninkovich and Tearrius George on the roster for at least three week's.

Ninkovich and George were signed earlier this week from the practice squads of the Dolphin's and the Cowboy's to fill the roster spots of Smith and McAllister.

Ninkovic, a former Saint, was cut by New Orleans before the start of the 2006 season because of knee injuries. George, at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, is considered a developmental pass rusher loaded with talent.

Both players have great potential in the Saints defense, but the team has not released any information about the options they will explore before a crucial NFC south game this Sunday.