[Buckskin86]

Q: Could you shed some light, if possible, on the Will Smith and Charles Grant suspensions? Are they tied in with the Minnesota case or not? Obviously losing them for any period of time is bad, but it could be especially damaging if the case drags out into the regular season and the Saints lose them in the middle or even worse toward the end of the season. Lindsey Bounds, Columbia, S.C.

A: Lindsey, the Smith and Grant case is settled. They lost their appeal in federal court and are suspended for the first four games. Their case is separate from the Williamses' in Minnesota, who are challenging the ruling in state court. Their appeal was successful in Minnesota but likely will be overturned at some point, forcing both players to serve their suspension at a later time. I think the Saints are smart for not fighting the case and getting the suspension out of the way. The club has prepared well for it and has enough serviceable players at the position to weather the storm.

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