Judge temporarily blocks suspensions of Vikings DTs; union set to sue

A message left by the Associated Press seeking reaction from the Vikings was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Dan Nash, an attorney for the NFL, told Larson before he issued the order that granting it would be unprecedented and create a sideshow, disrupting the Vikings team and sending a message to other suspended players that they could file similar lawsuits.

"This program (governing banned substances) would be thrown into disarray," Nash said.

But Ginsberg said his clients' case is unique and they should be given the benefit of the doubt and continue playing until the issues are fully addressed in court.

The Vikings are 7-5 and in first place in the NFC North, with the Williamses a big part of their success.

The two Pro Bowl tackles are the foundation of one of the league's top run defenses and leaders of a unit that has played a big role in the Vikings ascending to sole possession of first place in the division for the first time in four years.

"They're the first two guys here every morning at 7 o'clock working out," said Ellis Wyms, the backup to Kevin Williams. "You see the dedication that those two guys have to this team and this game.

"It's not that way around the league with a lot of guys. A lot of guys in their position would be able to take days off and chill out. Those guys have unbelievable dedication in what they do."

The ruling gives the Vikings a newfound hope that they may have the Williams Wall intact, at least for the immediate future, while they try to sew up the division title.

"They'll get back and get their playbooks and start focusing on Detroit," Ginsberg said.