NFL bans Houston's Autry six games for doping

English Woman's Journal - NFL bans Houston's Autry six games for doping

Weather - London 8°C

NFL bans Houston's Autry six games for doping

SPORTS 29.07.2024

NFL bans Houston's Autry six games for doping / Photo: Silas Walker - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry was suspended for six games by the NFL on Monday for violating the league's policy against using performance-enhancing drugs.

Change text size:

The 34-year-old lineman, who signed a two-year deal with the Texans in March, said in a statement he did not knowingly or intentionally take a banned substance.

"Over the course of my 10-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance-enhancing drugs," Autry said. "Over that period, I have been subject to countless tests, none of which have ever returned a positive result.

"I was, therefore, stunned this off-season when I learned that one of my tests returned a positive result."

Autry's last season with the Tennessee Titans was the best of his decade-long career, having made 30 solo tackles and assisted on 20 others with 11.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

He apologized Monday to teammates and fans as well as the Texans organization, but placed blame on his pharmacy.

"A pharmacy to which my doctors submitted a prescription for a different medication, had, whether intentionally, recklessly, or negligently, included a banned substance," Autry said.

"I want to be clear -- at no time did I know or even suspect that this medication contained a banned substance."

He said his lawyers had provided the NFL with documentation "establishing that I neither asked for nor was prescribed any banned substances."

"It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance," he added.

That didn't stop the NFL from banning Autry for the first six Texans games of the upcoming 2024 season.

Autry will miss games against Indianapolis, Chicago, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Buffalo and New England before being allowed to return ahead of an October 20 game at Green Bay.

"I understand that under the NFL's policies, ultimate responsibility for what enters my body rests with me. To that end, while I intend to explore legal options pertaining to the circumstances that resulted in my positive test, I have accepted the NFL's punishment of a six-game suspension," Autry said.

The Texans will play Chicago on Thursday in the first pre-season contest ahead of September's start of the 2024 campaign.

E.Brwon--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: