Sehorn Blasts NFL Drug, Ephedra Policies

New York Giant cornerback Jason Sehorn criticized the NFL for treating first-time ephedra offenders more harshly than players caught using cocaine, New York’s Daily News reported.

Sehorn, who said Wednesday that he used ephedra daily until last spring, is upset that players testing positive for the over-the-counter stimulant receive four-game suspensions, while a positive first test for cocaine or marijuana results only in placement in the NFL’s drug treatment program.

“You want to snort some cocaine, get yourself high, get caught, now you go in a program,” he said. “They put you in a drug program to try to help you, which is good, but you can keep on playing.”

The NFL began year-round random testing for ephedra in July. It is the first U.S. pro sports league to ban ephedrine, a substance often found in strength-building food supplements and that can cause seizures, strokes and even death.

Sehorn also pointed to legal drugs provided by team doctors.

“The anti-inflammatories, they pump us full of [pills], twice a day, just to get you on the field,” he said. “They’ll give you a shot right before a game. They’ll give you a shot of cortisone before a game. They will shoot you up with anything.

“But you want to take some ephedra that is sold over the counter, that is legal, that they’re trying to say could kill you ... because somebody died somewhere?

“If you want to do us some favors, why don’t you do some serious testing on the stuff everybody in the league takes and is prescribed by doctors.”

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Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Donovan McNabb might not have surgery on the broken right ankle that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season.

McNabb returned to Philadelphia with a cast on the ankle after meeting with a specialist in Houston. He will wear the cast until he is examined again in about two weeks.

Although he could have surgery then, McNabb most likely will let the bone heal on its own, even though an operation might allow him to return to the lineup earlier. He was hurt on the third play of Sunday’s 38-14 victory over Arizona but stayed in for most of the game.

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St. Louis Ram running back Marshall Faulk didn’t practice Thursday, sitting out because of a high sprain in his right ankle and a strained tendon in his left foot. His status for Sunday’s game at Washington won’t be determined until game time, Coach Mike Martz said. Kurt Warner practiced for the first time since reclaiming the No. 1 quarterback job from Marc Bulger.... San Diego Charger linebacker Donnie Edwards and guard Bob Hallen returned to practice Thursday, four days after sustaining concussions in an overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.