No team has had more players suspended for performance-enhancing drug use in the last three years than the Seattle Seahawks.
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It's the type of alarming reality that can smear the reputation of a franchise. Safety Kam Chancellor said Monday that a team meeting was called to discuss the situation.
Promising second-year defensive end Bruce Irvin was the latest Seahawks player to get hit with a four-game suspension. Brandon Browner, Winston Guy, Allen Barbre and John Moffitt have all missed time over PED issues since Pete Carroll took over as coach in 2010. Richard Sherman also tested positive, but had his suspension overturned on appeal.
"Losing Bruce, he's a key part of our defense," Chancellor said. "But you know, our team is so stacked in our depth, and everybody's so good that whoever steps up in that role, they will do an amazing job as well, so we shouldn't miss a beat."
Chancellor might be right about that last part. The Seahawks were aggressive in addressing their defensive line in free agency, signing pass rushers Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. They'll survive without Irvin's presence until October, but his absence is only part of a larger concern.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.