Darrell Russell

[MTK]

bye-bye to D Russ

July 15, 2004 4:06 PM ET
Russell could face another suspension

The News

Free agent Darrell Russell may be facing another suspension for violating the terms of his substance abuse recovery program. According to an ESPN.com report, Russell tested positive for alcohol use five weeks ago, which led the Buccaneers to release him on Tuesday. If the reports are accurate, the league may suspend the defensive tackle indefinitely. Russell missed 18 months while serving two suspensions before playing eight games for the Redskins in 2003.

Our View

If Russell were punished for violating the terms of his treatment program, he would be eligible to apply for reinstatement after week eight of the NFL season. However, it's doubtful that commissioner Paul Tagliabue would allow him to return even at the point, given that this would be Russell's seventh substance abuse violation. Darrell is quickly becoming the NFL's version of Steve Howe, who was suspended seven times and eventually banned for life by Major League Baseball due to numerous drug-related infractions.