Banned Vikings win in court

A Minnesota judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the NFL’s suspensions of Vikings stars Kevin and Pat Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy, but the players’ status for Sunday’s game at Detroit remained uncertain.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson issued the temporary restraining order at the players’ request, saying he wanted more time to hear arguments in the case.

The Williamses were among six players suspended for four games for testing positive for a diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for steroids. They have argued that the substance containing the diuretic didn’t list all its ingredients, and that league scientists and lawyers had information about the substance but withheld it from players.

The NFL argues that the league’s policy on banned substances is collectively bargained with the players’ association and that players are responsible for what is in their bodies.

“This is one of the more difficult cases I’ve had in 23 years,” Larson said before signing the order. “If I make a mistake, I’ve got to decide on a temporary basis which side I’m able to make the mistake on.”

Larson said he would make himself available to reconsider the issue “as quickly as you’d like me to hear it.” He also said he expected lawyers for the NFL, who participated in the hearing by phone, would take the issue to federal court in Minneapolis to get the suspensions reinstated.

“There is no merit to this lawsuit and we will promptly seek to have the order reversed,” the NFL said in a statement.

Giants give details of Burress case

Linebacker Antonio Pierce called a New York Giants trainer almost immediately after Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself and was told where to take the wounded receiver.

A day after suspending Burress for conduct detrimental to the team, the Giants revealed key details about how Burress ended up at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center early Saturday after accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan nightclub.

Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said trainer Ronnie Barnes wanted Burress near the Hospital for Special Surgery, which is located next door, in case the injury to his right thigh required any orthopedic work by team physicians.

The team said Mark Drakos, a doctor from the Hospital for Special Surgery who has treated Giants players in the past, examined Burress after he was paged by New York Presbyterian. The team said it was a coincidence that Drakos was on call.

Dr. Josyann Abisaab has been suspended for not reporting Burress’ gunshot injury, as required by law.

Authorities are trying to determine whether Pierce tried to cover up the shooting. Unlike Burress, who’s charged with illegal weapons possession, Pierce has yet to be charged -- or talk to police.

Michael Bachner, Pierce’s attorney, said they’re working out details about when that will happen.