RUSSELL SUSPENDED FOR ONE YEAR FOR DRUG USE

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell cleaned out his locker
Wednesday and left for the rest of this season, and all of the next one,
after a drug suspension.

Russell, who tested positive for the club drug Ecstasy, will not be
eligible to play again until Jan. 2, 2003. The 2002 regular season is out
because NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue turned down an appeal.

The Raiders' first-round draft pick in the 1997 draft also sat out the
first four games this season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

"Darrell has a problem that is well documented," said Raiders coach Jon
Gruden. "This is devastating for a young guy at the top of his profession
to have to go through this. I hope he can come back and resume his career."

Russell will not be allowed to participate in any team-sponsored functions
until his suspension is over.

"This is bad timing," said Oakland defensive tackle Rod Coleman, who takes
Russell's spot in the starting lineup. "It's been a tough season for him.
He had to deal with that and get ready for football."

The latest news comes as the Raiders try to improve their playoff situation
in a home game against the New York Jets on Sunday. Oakland clinched a spot
in the playoffs with a victory over the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 15, but
has lost its last two games.

"I hope I didn't lose him as a friend and teammate," said defensive end
Tony Bryant. "I don't want to say anything else except we do have other
options and we have a lot of confidence in Rod."

Russell returned to action Oct. 14 after being suspended in August, when
the NFL determined he failed to comply with its drug-testing policy.

The 6-5, 325-pound lineman in his fifth season out of Southern California
said he wasn't home when a test was scheduled to be administered, and that
he failed to get back to the league on time. He forfeited about $448,000 in
salary due to the earlier suspension.

The league began testing this season for Ecstasy, a mood-altering drug
popular on the nightclub scene.

The NFL does not disclose details of substance-abuse violations. Its policy
covers a wide range of issues, including the illegal use of drugs and the
abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.

Josh Taves or Junior Ioane is expected to see more action as a result of
the suspension.

"We will do the best we can to move forward without him," said Gruden. "We
played the first four games without him and I don't expect this team to
give in. It's another challenge to overcome."