THE SIDELINES : Chargers’ Browner Suspended

Keith Browner of the Chargers has been suspended by the NFL for substance abuse, the league announced today.

Browner, 27, was given a 30-day suspension and will not be allowed to play before Sept. 29. A 30-day suspension is usually given to a second-time offender in drug or alcohol abuse cases.

Browner is the 17th player to be suspended this week by the league for violating the substance abuse policy; 13 of the others were specifically cited for testing positive for steroids.

The linebacker-defensive end reportedly left the team a week ago and has not practiced since Aug. 22. The San Diego Union said in today’s editions that Browner told Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations, that he is considering retiring for personal reasons.