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BEREA, Ohio - William Green can't seem to outrun his troubled past.
Green, the Browns' leading rusher, was suspended for four games by the league on Thursday for violating the substance-abuse policy.
Team president Carmen Policy said Green already was enrolled in the league's treatment program, and the suspension indicated the second-year back twice had violated his personal program.
Because of confidentiality, Policy does not know if Green's involvement in the program stemmed from him twice being suspended for marijuana use while at Boston College.
The Browns said the violation involved the use of alcohol.
Green's suspension is the second major development this week for the reeling Browns (3-6), who Tuesday released leading receiver Kevin Johnson.
Cleveland also has juggled starting quarterbacks and, because of injuries, has had to use nine starters on the offensive line.
"It has been a very difficult week," Policy said.
Last month, Green, 23, was arrested after police in suburban Westlake pulled him over for driving recklessly. Police said they also found a small bag of marijuana.
Green has pleaded innocent to the charges. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.
The Browns suspended Green one game before the league announced any sanctions against him. The union claimed the club violated the league's collective-bargaining agreement.
Policy said Green, who hasn't spoken to the media since his arrest, is sorry for his actions.
"He breaks your heart, because he's contrite," Policy said. "His reaction to accepting the suspension immediately goes a long way in my mind to saying we've taken a pretty big step in the right direction."
After a slow start last season, Green rushed for 887 yards and six touchdowns. He gained 726 yards in the final seven games, leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 1994.
Green has rushed for 559 yards and one touchdown this season, but he missed Cleveland's game at New England with a separated right shoulder.
Rookie running back Lee Suggs was activated from the physically unable to perform list Wednesday.CHARGERS: Good thing 41-year-old quarterback Doug Flutie still has his legs. He might need to call on them Sunday to escape the Broncos' stout pass rush.
After practice, it became more apparent Flutie will line up behind two rookies on his offensive line: right guard Phil Bogle and right tackle Courtney Van Buren. He'll also take snaps from a backup center, veteran Cory Raymer.
Center Jason Ball and right tackle Solomon Page skipped practice with ankle injuries. Neither figures to play.
EAGLES: Left guard John Welbourn will miss 2-3 weeks after knee surgery. He'll be replaced by second-year player Artis Hicks.
FALCONS: A day after practicing for the first time in two months, Michael Vick regained some lost confidence.
The quarterback said his objective is to manage his pain while convincing himself he's still effective enough to help his team reverse the course of a 2-7 season.
"I'm just hoping and praying it's 100 percent mentally and going about in that way," Vick said. "I think if I think about it in that way, then I won't worry about it. I think it will be 100 percent, really."
Vick said his right ankle and Achilles' tendon won't heal fully for several more months but he hasn't ruled out returning next week.
JETS: Free-agent receiver Kevin Lockett signed to replace Wayne Chrebet, who will miss the rest of the season because of a concussion.
RAIDERS: Rich Gannon, 37, had surgery on his injured throwing shoulder. The operation took place in Minnesota and was performed by the same doctor who did his shoulder surgery after his 1993 season with Washington.
Last season's MVP was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
The team hopes to have the 16-year veteran back for spring minicamps. Backup QB Marques Tuiasosopo (knee) also is out for the season, leaving third-stringer Rick Mirer as the starter for the final seven games.