The statement released by the NFL this afternoon:

We are pleased that the Minnesota Court of Appeals, like all other federal & state courts to hear the matter, has unanimously upheld the structure & operation of the NFLs collectively bargained Policy on Steroids & Related Substances. Todays opinion confirms the testing program did not violate Minnesota state law & vindicates the policy & procedures of the program. We are in the process of reviewing the decision and determining our next steps.

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The NFL has been on quite a roll in the court system lately.

First, a special master ruled that the NFL can collect TV money from the networks even if there is no football next year. And today, as NFL spokesman Greg Aiello points out, the Minnesota state court of appeals ruled in the NFLs favor in the Star Caps case, affirming a lower courts decision against a permanent injunction for the players who were to be punished by the league.

This paves the way for the NFL to enforce the four-game suspensions for players like Vikings DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams and Saints DE Will Smith for failing 2008 drug tests. The rest of the players who failed the test because of a banned diuretic in the diet supplement Star Caps are no longer playing, including Deuce McAllister.

The Williams had asked for a permanent injunction for the suspension, but Hennepin County judge Gary Larson denied that. That decision was upheld today by the appeals court. The Williams and Smith had played the past three seasons because of a temporary injunction issued by Larson.

For more on the background of the case and for what the ruling means, check out the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

But that doesnt mean this case is over yet. Theres always the Minnesota Supreme Court, and then, the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The NFL has again sort of lost the war but won the battle," said Ginsberg, who added that he hopes the union takes a more proactive role in fashioning a better drug-testing policy in future contract negotiations with the NFL.

Pat Williams, the oldest defensive player in the NFL last season at 38, finished a three-year contract and will be a free agent next season. The Vikings aren't expected to re-sign him. The three-time Pro Bowl pick has seen his production and playing time decrease over the last few seasons.

Kevin Williams, 30 also is coming off a substandard season, with a career-low one sack.

The NFL had argued its anti-doping policy was a product of its collective bargaining agreement with the players' union and was governed by federal labor law, which should trump state laws.

The case was watched by other major sports leagues -- including the MLB, NBA and NHL -- which supported the NFL and contended their drug-testing programs would be at risk if players were allowed to challenge drug-testing policies in different state courts.

Saints defensive end Will Smith and former Saints end Charles Grant tested positive for the same substance, but were not involved in the Minnesota lawsuit. The NFL has held off on enforcing their four-game suspensions until the Minnesota case is resolved. Grant is currently a free agent.