Legal experts familiar with this matter now agree that there’s a good chance that with the judge’s temporary restraining order, there will not be a full hearing on this case until after the season. Even if the judge has a full hearing once the playoffs begin, he will be under no time obligation and it could take him weeks or even months before issuing a final decision.

Not that he doesn’t have enough incentive to avoid suspension, but Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kevin Williams has up to $1.5 million more reasons to try to avoid it.

The NFL has suspended six players for violation of the steroid and banned substance policy. Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister, and the Fresh Prince of Bourbon St. (Will Smith) were suspended from the Saints. Pat Williams and Kevin Williams of the Vikings were suspended along with Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman.

Minnesota’s defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams might be able to stave off their suspensions in time for Sunday’s game against Detroit. But it could cost them later on.

Lost in the legal battle being waged between the NFL and two Vikings is the roster retooling Minnesota has been forced into making.

The Vikings will get crushed the hardest in the wake of Tuesday’s suspensions during the final two games of the season, when the NFC North title could be at stake.

When the NFL announced six suspensions Tuesday, the Vikings and Saints were hit hardest. But so were the players.

Vikings coach Brad Childress didn’t have much to say during his weekly Wednesday press conference concerning the four-game suspensions of Kevin and Pat Williams, but was clearly disappointed with the league’s decision.

NFL.com Senior Writer Steve Wyche on the six suspension dished out by the NFL on Tuesday:

The four-game suspensions of six NFL players for testing positive for banned substances didn’t come as a surprise, but that still doesn’t make things any less painful – especially for the Minnesota Vikings.