Vikings backup LB Henderson received four-game suspension from NFL

The Minnesota Vikings backup linebacker Erin Henderson is not allowed to play for the team’s final three regular-season games and first playoff game as the league has suspended him for four games because the player violated the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The suspension happened just ten days after Henderson’s elder brother, E.J. Henderson broke his left leg and was sidelined indefinitely. The NFL does not specify the substances for which players test positive.

Thus Erin ended the 2009 season with only playing two games in Vikings jersey. Signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008, Erin has played primarily on special teams and had two special teams tackles against during last Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

E.J. Henderson’s injury and Erin Henderson’s suspension left the Vikings few linebackers to play for the final games. Thus the team signed J Leman from the practice squad on Tuesday to take Erin Henderson’s place in the linebacking corps, and signed cornerback DeAndre Wright to the practice squad.