Cowboys’ Lett Suspended for One Year

Dallas Cowboy defensive tackle Leon Lett was suspended a minimum of one year by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league’s drug policy.

Lett was suspended for four games in 1995. At the time, he was informed that any further violation would result in a minimum one-year suspension without pay, and he has been tested up to 10 times per month since then.

The suspension takes effect immediately. The defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys (8-5) are tied for first place in the NFC East.

Lett, 28, was recently informed that he had violated the policy, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. Lett appealed the penalty to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who denied the appeal.

“This is a time of concern for Leon Lett, the person,” Cowboy owner Jerry Jones said. “Our thoughts are with him and his family, and we will continue to offer our help and support in any way we can.”

Lett is the second star player for the Cowboys to receive a drug suspension from the NFL this season. Wide receiver Michael Irvin was suspended for the first five games of the season after pleading no contest to a felony charge of cocaine possession.

Six Dallas players have been suspended since 1994 for violations of the league’s drug policy.

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Tight end Mark Chmura, a member of the NFC Pro Bowl team last season, is set to return for the Green Bay Packers for their Sunday game against the Denver Broncos.

Chmura, sidelined since Nov. 10 because of a torn arch in his left foot, is one of the league’s best run blockers and one of Brett Favre’s favorite targets.

The Broncos (12-1) already have wrapped up home-field advantage in the AFC, but the Packers have no such luxury. San Francisco kept pressure on them by beating Atlanta on Monday night.

Green Bay also signed former Miami Dolphin center Jeff Dellenbach, a 12-year veteran, and put center Gene McGuire and running back Brian Satterfield on waivers.

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In desperate need of help for an injury-ravaged secondary, the Washington Redskins welcomed a familiar face, signing safety Keith Taylor, who spent the 1994 and ’95 seasons with them before signing with the Carolina Panthers, who released him in training camp.

Taylor played four years with the Indianapolis Colts and two with the New Orleans Saints before his first stint with the Redskins.