CLEVELAND — Joe Haden’s case remains mysterious and unresolved. CLEVELAND — Joe Haden’s case remains mysterious and unresolved. ADVERTISING The Browns cornerback, and one of Cleveland’s best players, is awaiting word from the NFL on a possible four-game suspension for
CLEVELAND — Joe Haden’s case remains mysterious and unresolved.
The Browns cornerback, and one of Cleveland’s best players, is awaiting word from the NFL on a possible four-game suspension for failing a drug test. On Tuesday, Browns president Mike Holmgren revealed in a local radio interview that Haden has already had his appeal hearing with the league.
“Now it’s up to someone else,” Holmgren told 92.3 The Fan. “And we don’t know.”
Holmgren’s comments were the first confirming Haden’s suspension, which was first reported by espncleveland.com last month. Haden reportedly failed a test for taking Adderall, which is on the league’s banned substance list.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that the league “has nothing to report at this point.”
It’s possible the league is still weighing Haden’s appeal and a ruling may not be known for days, if not weeks. In the meantime, Haden is wondering if he will be able to play in Sunday’s season opener against Philadelphia.
At this point, it appears Haden’s safe for this week, but it’s possible he may still have to sit out some games.
The league does not announce suspensions until the appeal process is completed in order to protect the player’s privacy.
The Browns can’t afford to be without Haden for long. They’re already missing three defensive starters — defensive tackle Phil Taylor and linebacker Chris Gocong are injured and linebacker Scott Fujita is serving a three-game suspension for his role in the Saints’ bounty scandal — and Haden is their best coverage defender.
“That’s a blow,” cornerback Dimitri Patterson said of the possibility of losing Haden. “But it’s professional football. It’s not Pop Warner. You’ve got to step in and be a professional, simple as that.”
Patterson would likely start in Haden’s place with Buster Skrine and rookie Trevin Wade getting more playing time.
Haden was drafted by the Browns with the No. 7 overall draft pick in 2010. He had six interceptions as a rookie, but none last season.
On Monday, Haden said he’s had his best preseason as a pro.
“I feel like this is the best I’ve played at corner in my life,” said Haden, who was recruited as a quarterback by Florida but switched to defense as a freshman. “I’ve become comfortable at the position, and I’m starting to understand concepts and a whole lot, so the game is starting to slow down.”
Dolphins release veteran
quarterback David Garrard
MIAMI — Quarterback David Garrard has been released by the Miami Dolphins, leaving Matt Moore as the veteran backup to rookie starter Ryan Tannehill.
Garrard signed in March and climbed atop the depth chart in training camp before he was sidelined by a left knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery Aug. 11. In his absence, Tannehill claimed the starting job for Sunday’s opener at Houston.
The Dolphins also placed guard Artis Hicks on the reserve-injured list Tuesday, and they re-signed tackle Ray Feinga, who was waived by the team Friday.
The 34-year-old Garrard’s $2.25 million salary would have been guaranteed if he was on the roster for the opener. He returned to practice Monday on a limited basis and said he’s not yet 100 percent.
