DETROIT (AP) -Kept on the field by a court decision, Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams helped stop the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
A federal judge Friday in Minnesota blocked the NFL from suspending the Williamses, along with three other players, for violating the league’s anti-doping policy by using a banned diuretic.
“It’s been like up down for me all week,” Pat Williams said as he walked off the field after a 20-16 win. “Thanks to God, everything worked out. It’s been kind of hard on the players, coaches, our families and friends.”
Kevin Williams had five tackles, including two for losses, and Pat Williams finished with four tackles. The pair were especially important on a pair of fourth-down plays in the second quarter.
Kevin Williams flushed Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper out of the pocket and forced him to rush a pass on fourth-and-1 at the Minnesota 30. On the next series, Kevin Williams stuffed Culpepper on a fourth-and-1 at the 6.
ing, finishing with only 76 yards rushing.
“We’re paid to play and that’s what we’re here to do,” Kevin Williams said.
Vikings head coach Brad Childress said he did not allow the possible suspensions distract the team.
“This week was never going to be about two guys that weren’t going to play and it wasn’t going to be about two guys who were going to replace those two guys,” Childress said. “It’s always been about our 53-man team.
“We’ve sold that all the way along. It’s everything we’ve done since Day One of training camp and those guys recognize that.”
Culpepper said he was glad to play against the run-stuffing Williamses.
“I wanted them to play as a competitor,” Culpepper said.
U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said he needed more time to consider the case after hearing several hours of arguments from the league and the NFL Players Association.
The Williamses, who are not related, and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints were suspended this week for four games each.
The union has argued the NFL didn’t properly inform players about the substance. The NFL’s attorneys argued that claim, and others, had been considered and rejected in a process set out by the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
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