RISON VIOLATES DRUG POLICY, FACES SUSPENSION

As if Andre Rison's chances of returning to the Raiders weren't slim
enough already, a report Monday night said the receiver could be
suspended for up to four games next season for violating the NFL's
drug-treatment program.

Rison's agent, Charles Tucker, told ESPN.com that the violation was a
procedural matter involving aftercare from a first offense. It's
unclear when Rison first violated the league's policy, as initial
offenses are not punished or publicized. Players caught abusing
alcohol or other drugs, including steroids, are subject to the
guidelines.

``He missed a test and he didn't report to the league or some other
authorities all the times that he was leaving town or traveling,''
Tucker told ESPN.com. ``The league people are very strict about these
things, and so now `Dre' is facing maybe four games off once he signs
with a team. He knows he owes the NFL some time now before he plays
again.''

Rison, 34, joined the Raiders in August 2000 and finished as their
second-leading receiver, with 41 catches for 606 yards and six
touchdowns. He wanted to return to the Raiders and dismissed other
teams' interest, until his hopes for another year in Oakland all but
ended when the Raiders signed Jerry Rice in June.

Tucker acknowledged that teams have shied away from signing Rison
because of the chance they could lose him for one-fourth of the
season.