Updates on Brandon Browner Reportedly Suspended for Substance-Abuse Violation

Updates on Brandon Browner Reportedly Suspended for Substance-Abuse Violation, The Seattle Seahawks' vaunted secondary that serves as the backbone for the NFL's current No. 2 pass defense may soon be thinning out.

Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Browner is reportedly facing a second suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, according to NFL.com's Michael Silver:

I am amending my report on the impending Brandon Browner suspension to reflect that it is for a violation of NFL's substance abuse policy.

Originally, Silver reported that the suspension was for performance-enhancing drugs, but he retracted the report. Sources informed Silver of the development, according to NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal.

The report adds that the Seahawks are trying to sign former All-Pro cornerback Antoine Winfield, 36, who retired in August. Another corner may be added to the roster as well as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Tuesday, Nov. 26:

Ian Rapoport        ✔ @RapSheet

Another CB visiting #Seahawks, vying to take Browner or Thurmond's place? Perrish Cox. Visiting today, per source.

Silver's sources believe this will signal the end to Browner's career with the Seahawks, but the 29-year-old took to Twitter to defend himself, asserting that he is not facing a suspension for PEDs:

Brandon Browner        ✔ @bbrowner27

I'm not facing suspension for PEDs, it's sad that the NFL is reporting this...
4:56 AM - 26 Nov 2013

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the suspension would be for a full year:

Adam Schefter        ✔ @AdamSchefter

Seahawks CB Brandon Browner is facing a one-year suspension from NFL for violating substance-abuse policy, per NFL sources. He has appealed.
5:45 AM - 26 Nov 2013

Browner's contract expires at the end of the season, and he was suspended for the last four games of the 2012 regular season after reportedly testing positive for Adderall.

Another Seahawks cornerback, Walter Thurmond—also a free agent after this season—was suspended for four games Sunday for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, as reported by Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.

The good news is that Richard Sherman and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor are still available for the Seahawks ahead of Week 13's Monday night test against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

Depth at cornerback is necessary for Seattle anyway. Browner suffered a groin injury in Nov. 10's win over the Atlanta Falcons and was expected to be out for four to six weeks, per Condotta.

At least the 10-1 Seahawks offense has had a bye week to figure out how to mix playmaker Percy Harvin into the game plan more. Perhaps his involvement offensively can offset the issues in the secondary.