MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota judge yesterday temporarily blocked the NFL's suspension of Vikings stars Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy, but the players' status for Sunday's game at Detroit remained uncertain.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson issued the temporary restraining order at the players' request, saying he wanted more time to hear arguments in the case. No further hearing date immediately was set.

The Williamses were among six players suspended for four games for testing positive for a diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for steroids. They have argued that the substance containing the diuretic didn't list all its ingredients, and that league scientists and lawyers had information about the substance but withheld it from players.

www.ESPN.com reported last night that the NFL Players Association will file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis today, seeking to overturn all suspensions issued Tuesday by the league for any player who took the substance. The basis for the union's action is founded on many of the same arguments that resulted in the temporary restraining order issued in the state district court.

The NFL argues that the league's policy on banned substances is collectively bargained with the players' association and players are responsible for what is in their bodies.

"This is one of the more difficult cases I've had in 23 years," Larson said before signing the order. "If I make a mistake, I've got to decide on a temporary basis which side I'm able to make the mistake on."

Larson said he would make himself available to reconsider the issue "as quickly as you'd like me to hear it." He also said he expected lawyers for the NFL, who participated in the hearing by phone, would take the issue to federal court in Minneapolis to get the suspensions reinstated.

"There is no merit to this lawsuit and we will promptly seek to have the order reversed," the NFL said in a statement.

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who are not related, sat in the courtroom with their lawyers for yesterday's hearing, which lasted more than two hours. Both declined comment.

REDSKINS

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell is starting to feel the pressure. And not just because he's been sacked 32 times.

As the fortunes of the Redskins offense have plummeted, so has the praise that was heaped on the quarterback early in the season. Campbell could do no wrong when he was posting back-to-back-to-back games with a 100-plus rating in September; now he's the focal point of criticism after throwing just four touchdown passes in the eight games since.

"People don't get it," Campbell said yesterday. "They say, 'Ah, they're learning a new offense.' They think it's the quarterback that's learning the new offense. They don't understand that everybody around you is learning an offense, too."

The Redskins (7-5) might need a 4-0 December to return to the postseason, but as of now there are no plans to call on backup Todd Collins. Coach Jim Zorn, while assessing Campbell's performance as "very average" in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the New York Giants, is sticking with his young quarterback.

"I like the direction he's going, and I like how he's conscious of playing better and better each week," Zorn said. "And he's conscious at practice. He doesn't let down. Are we getting all the results we want every week? No. But we're pushing."

ELSEWHERE

Browns: Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn had two pins surgically inserted into his broken right index finger yesterday and said he hopes to begin throwing once they are removed next month. Quinn broke the tip of his finger in a Nov. 17 game at Buffalo and then made the injury worse by playing the following week against Houston.

Falcons: Atlanta expects Grady Jackson to be available for Sunday's game at New Orleans after the defensive tackle was not one of the six players suspended by the NFL for violating the league's anti-doping policy. Jackson was on a list of players accused of using a diuretic, which can serve as a masking agent for steroids.

Jaguars: Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right knee. Mathis, who leads the team with four interceptions, sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee Monday night at Houston and will likely go on injured reserve.

Seahawks: Center Chris Spencer will miss the rest of the season with a herniated disk in his back, but he is hoping he can avoid surgery by resting. Spencer became the 11th Seattle player on injured reserve in this lost season. Converted guard Steve Vallos will make his second career start on Sunday for Seattle (2-10) against New England (7-5).