THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MINNEAPOLIS -- The NFL Players Association is asking a federal judge to keep the suspensions of five players on hold while the case over use of a banned substance is appealed.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson threw out most claims by Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, and all claims involving three New Orleans Saints players.

Magnuson says players are responsible for what they ingest.

On Thursday, the NFL players union asked for an injunction so the five players won't have to serve their four-game suspensions while the issue is being weighed by an appeals court.

Earlier in the case, the judge granted a similar request that put the suspensions on hold while the case was in federal court.

Will Smith, Deuce McAllister and Charles Grant are the three Saints.