Deuce down over Saints' suspensions

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister said he was disappointed by his four-game suspension for alleged steroid-related violations.

McAllister was one of three New Orleans players benched for the remainder of the season by the NFL under its steroid rules. The league Tuesday denied an appeal from the players.

McAllister contended he checked with the NFL about the appropriateness of the weight-loss product he was taking and was not told there was anything wrong with it.

"Probably the saddest part about it is that I went about it the right way, " McAllister said. "My only question now is, 'What is a player supposed to do if it's not calling the league hot line?' Obviously that's not working, because that's what I did."

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune said Wednesday the lawyer representing McAllister, Charles Grant and Will Smith, was considering going to court to seek an injunction blocking the suspension.

Attorney David Cornwell said the league was shirking its responsibilities to warn players about the possibility a substance contained banned ingredients. The league has countered that players know there are such risks involved in dietary supplements and should exercise caution in taking them.