Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond suspended four games

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond, a former star at Oregon and West Covina High, will reportedly drop his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

As first reported by NFL.com, the fourth-year pro will accept the penalty for reportedly violating the league’s non-performance-enhancing drug policy.

Thurmond was a fourth-round draft pick in 2010 by Seattle. He’s battled injury problems during his career, although he stepped into a starting role in 2011 before a season-ending injury and again this season with the loss of Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Browner to a groin injury.

Now the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” secondary, which has helped the team to a 10-1 record, will be depleted entering the last third of the season that features games against top contenders in NFC rivals San Francisco and New Orleans, which is 9-2 and vying for home-field advantage.

Thurmond, who will be a free agent after this season, has 31 tackles, six passes defended, one sack and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

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