Report: Henry fights results of drug test

Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry, the league’s leading rusher, is trying to prevent the NFL from suspending him over the results of a drug test, Newsday reported Thursday.

Henry was granted a temporary restraining order in Suffolk County (N.Y.) Supreme Court to prevent the league from using a urine specimen against him and to prevent the league from disclosing the test results, but an appellate court vacated the order, according to court papers filed in Brooklyn federal court.

The report on the newspaper’s website said Henry claims the league violated its substance abuse policy by not allowing his experts to be present for testing of his urine sample, according to court papers.

The league wants the matter transferred to federal court because it involves interpretation of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, generally covered by federal labor laws.

Pending an appeal, Henry would be subject to a yearlong suspension if he tested positive again. While in Tennessee, Henry was suspended four games in September 2005 by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

NFL Players Assn. lawyers argued that the league’s collective bargaining agreement protects Michael Vick from the Atlanta Falcons’ attempts to be refunded up to $22 million in bonus money.

A decision is expected by Oct. 12, said Stephen B. Burbank, the University of Pennsylvania law professor and special master who led the arbitration hearing.

The Falcons argued the suspended Falcons quarterback knew he was in violation of the contract when he signed the $130-million deal in December 2004, and that he used proceeds from the deal to fund his dogfighting operation.

The Oceanside City Council decided to end talks with the San Diego Chargers about a new stadium after discussing a marketing study that showed a proposed office complex would not generate sufficient revenue to help pay for the $1-billion building.

The proposal had called for a stadium to be built on the city’s 72-acre Center City Golf Course.

Deputy Mayor Rocky Chavez said it became clear the city would need to pay for some of the stadium’s infrastructure, and that the city doesn’t have the money.

The Carolina Panthers, a day after a 20-minute players-only meeting, returned to practice determined to salvage their spiraling season.

“It was about being who you are and doing what got you to this point where you are today,” cornerback Ken Lucas said. “Whatever got you to this level, do that every Sunday.”

Cornerback Will Blackmon of the Green Bay Packers was put on injured reserve after he broke his right foot during practice. . . . Left tackle Jonas Jennings will be out of the San Francisco 49ers’ lineup indefinitely while dealing with a “private matter,” Coach Mike Nolan said. . . . The Detroit Lions put running back Brian Calhoun on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury and re-signed running back Aveion Cason.