Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Owens Suspension to be Reduced

from yahoo sports

According to a report in Newsday, arbitrator Richard Bloch is expected to reduce Owens' four-game suspension from four games to one or two games later Wednesday.

Owens was suspended four games by Reid for conduct detrimental to the team November 9. The NFL Players Association is seeking to have the suspension reduced and wants the Eagles to cut Owens if they have no intention of playing him again.

The report indicates that the Eagles, who planned to de-activate Owens for the remainder of the season, will release the mercurial superstar receiver instead. Philadelphia is concerned that Owens will cause a distraction if the ruling allows him to return to the Eagles' practice facility.

Owens has stated all along that he wants to return to the Eagles, but would want to be released if Philadelphia didn't plan to play him. If released, Owens would go through the league's waiver system, with the worst team getting the first shot of claiming him.