(AP) - New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin feels the NFL didn't use common sense in suspending safety Tyler Sash for a violation of the league's performance enhancing drug policy.

The league announced the suspension Tuesday, saying Sash would be ineligible for the first four games of the season.

Sash said he took a prescription drug (Adderall) while under a doctor's care for an anxiety condition in March, having no idea it was banned by NFL policy. The league denied his appeal.

Coughlin defended his second-year player Wednesday after practice, saying Sash has no intention of doing anything illegal. The 65-year-old coach said he understands the rule but "sometimes you think maybe common sense needs to be involved in this."

A league spokesmen had no comment on Coughlin's statement.