NFL | Judge blocks suspensions of Kevin and Pat Williams

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the NFL's suspension 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. No further hearing date immediately was set.

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.

Notes

• A day after the season-ending suspension of star receiver Plaxico Burress, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he expects Antonio Pierce to play Sunday while police investigate the linebacker's involvement in a shooting that left Burress with a self-inflicted wound.

• Ben Roethlisberger sat out the final 20 minutes of Pittsburgh's practice after his right leg slipped while he was throwing a pass. The problem is not believed to be serious, but backup quarterback Bryan Leftwich finished out practice as a precaution.

• Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards missed practice with a groin injury, opening the possibility of J.P. Losman making his first start in more than a year Sunday, when the Bills host Miami in Toronto.

• New Orleans added defensive end Rob Ninkovic and safety Terrence Holt to the active roster a day after the NFL announced the suspensions of six players, including Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive end Will Smith. Atlanta expects Grady Jackson to be available for Sunday's game at New Orleans after the defensive tackle was not one of the players suspended by the NFL for violating the league's anti-doping policy. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello on Tuesday said league chief counsel Jeff Pash had asked for additional information from Jackson.

• Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett is expected to miss at least two games with a cracked bone in his lower right leg.

• A season after finishing one game shy of the Super Bowl, the San Diego Chargers (4-8) are only one game better than the Oakland Raiders (3-9). That's as good a reason as any for why some of the buzz is missing heading into tonight's renewal of the Raiders-Chargers rivalry, which dates to the birth of the AFL in 1960.

The Chargers have beaten the Raiders 10 consecutive times.