Report: Redskins' Williams, Davis to be suspended

LANDOVER, Md. -- An already difficult season for the Washington Redskins is getting worse: Left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis are expected to be suspended by the NFL for the last four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

The people spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.

Williams, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2010, and Davis, a second-round choice in 2008, are starters for the Redskins, who fell to 4-8 with a 34-19 loss to the Jets yesterday. Davis had six catches for 99 yards, both game highs.

Asked after the game about the pending suspensions, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said: "Well, No. 1, I've received no information about it, so I can't comment on that at this time. But I will comment in the next day or two, depending on exactly what has happened."

Neither Williams nor Davis was in the locker room when reporters were allowed to enter. Their lockers were cleaned out by team employees.

SI.com first reported yesterday that Davis and Williams would be punished. Citing an unidentified source, the website also said the players hadn't received written notice from the NFL about their suspensions so they were able to play yesterday.

An NFL spokesman declined to discuss the matter. One of the people who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity said the two Redskins were among 11 players who failed drug tests during a lockout-related grace period negotiated between the NFL and the players' union. The other nine players' cases were dismissed because they were first-time offenders; Davis and Williams each has tested positive more than once, the person told the AP.