Brandon Browner reinstated by NFL

(SportsNetwork.com) - Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner says he's been reinstated by the NFL.

Browner, who is set to become a free agent next week, was suspended by the NFL in December for an indefinite period after he lost an appeal over a one-year ban for violating the league's substance-abuse policy a second time.

He said on Twitter Tuesday night that the ban was over and thanked his agent and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for resolving the matter "in a positive, productive manner so I can continue my career, provide for my family, and help my team win a Super Bowl."

An email to a league spokesman asking for confirmation of the reinstatement was not immediately returned.

Browner says he realizes "now more than ever that being part of the NFL is not a right, but a privilege." His announcement came after his agent said last week the cornerback would file a lawsuit against the NFL in federal court.

Browner was facing a potential one-year ban as a second-time offender when he turned down an offer by the NFL to reduce the penalty and opted to fight the verdict.

He sat out the last four regular-season games in 2012 after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance and missed Seattle's Super Bowl run this past season.

The 29-year-old has 10 interceptions and 117 tackles in 36 NFL games.