Chargers inside linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended for four games by the NFL on Tuesday for testing positive for a banned stimulant. Cooper, who moved into the starting lineup last season and led the Chargers with 108 total tackles, said in a statement released by the team that he took a stimulant that was recently added to the NFL's list of prohibited substances. While in college, Cooper admitted to possession of steroids after being found with about 1,000 pills in his duffel bag when the driver of an SUV he was riding in was stopped for speeding in 2002. Cooper, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge, said at the time that he never took the steroids, but had been planning to use them to bulk up in hopes of making the NFL. "Obviously we're disappointed, just as I know Stephen is," coach Norv Turner said in a statement. "Coop made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences. It's unfortunate, but we'll deal with it and move on." (Updated 04/16/2008).
Injury Report
Suspension - Out until Week 5 at Miami (Updated - 4/16/08)
Fantasy Analysis
Once he's off the suspended list, Cooper will be worth using as a low-end No. 2/top-end No. 3 Fantasy LB since he gets a lot of tackles, but not much else. (Updated 04/16/2008).
No information available at this time.
No information available at this time.
Chargers inside linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended for four games by the NFL on Tuesday for testing positive for a banned stimulant. Cooper, who moved into the starting lineup last season and led the Chargers with 108 total tackles, said in a statement released by the team that he took a stimulant that was recently added to the NFL's list of prohibited substances. While in college, Cooper admitted to possession of steroids after being found with about 1,000 pills in his duffel bag when the driver of an SUV he was riding in was stopped for speeding in 2002. Cooper, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge, said at the time that he never took the steroids, but had been planning to use them to bulk up in hopes of making the NFL. "Obviously we're disappointed, just as I know Stephen is," coach Norv Turner said in a statement. "Coop made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences. It's unfortunate, but we'll deal with it and move on." (Updated 04/16/2008).
Injury Report
Suspension - Out until Week 5 at Miami (Updated - 4/16/08)
Fantasy Analysis
Once he's off the suspended list, Cooper will be worth using as a low-end No. 2/top-end No. 3 Fantasy LB since he gets a lot of tackles, but not much else. (Updated 04/16/2008).
