Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s PEDs suspension appeal to take place on Friday

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman's appeal of his four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy will be heard on Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

According to the report, if Sherman loses the appeal, he could be out for Sunday night's pivotal NFC West match-up with the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. It is possible, however, that a decision denying Sherman's appeal would not be rendered until Monday or Tuesday of next week, which would allow the second-year cornerback to suit up against the 49ers.

Sherman and teammate Brandon Browner, a 2011 Pro Bowler, were suspended in late November after allegedly testing positive for Adderall in September. Both players filed appeals, though Browner has dropped his and is currently serving out his four-game suspension, which will end on Dec. 31, allowing him to play in the post-season should the Seahawks qualify.

In two games without Browner, the Seahawks have paired Sherman with Walter Thurmond in a 58-0 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 9 and, with Thurmond out with a hamstring injury, 2012 sixth round pick Jeremy Lane in Sunday's 50-17 win over the Buffalo Bills in Toronto. Lane played in 54 snaps and had three tackles, but appeared to suffer a right leg injury on the Bills' final possession, forcing the team to re-insert Sherman opposite Byron Maxwell, a 2011 sixth round pick who, along with Sherman, led the 'Hawks with 56 snaps on Sunday.