Texans DE Denico Autry Suspended Six Games For PED Violation

Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Monday.

Houston Texans’ Denico Autry said his doctors submitted a prescription that contained a banned substance

Autry, 34, said in a statement the violation occurred after his doctors submitted a prescription for a different medication that contained a banned substance. He said he did not knowingly violate the league’s policy.

However, he accepts the punishment. According to Bleacher Report, all guarantees in Autry’s contract are voided due to the PED suspension. Houston may opt to move on and attempt to recoup his $6 million signing bonus.

“Over the course of my ten-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance enhancing drugs,” Autry said in the statement.

“Over that period, I have been subject to countless tests, none of which have ever returned a positive result. I was, therefore, stunned this offseason when I learned that one of my tests returned a positive result.”

Texans signed Autry to a two-year, $20 million deal with $10 million guaranteed

In March, the Texans signed Autry to a two-year, $20 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. This came after he posted a career-best 11.5 sacks last season for the Tennessee Titans. He also led the team with 50 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Additionally, Autry says he “discovered that a pharmacy to which my doctors submitted a prescription for a different medication, had, whether intentionally, recklessly, or negligently, included a banned substance.”

“Upon discovering the source of the positive test, I immediately retained legal counsel in connection with this matter,” he added. “My counsel provided the NFL with information, including documentation from my doctors. … 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.”

Autry will return for Week 7’s road game at the Green Bay Packers

Autry apologized “to the Texans organization, my teammates, and the fans for any distraction this may cause. Finally, I want to assure our fans that my commitment to competing to the best of my ability has only grown. I look forward to returning to the field.”

Houston may decide to give Autry another chance. If so, he is eligible to make his return for Week 7’s road game against the Green Bay Packers. Jerry Hughes and Mario Edwards Jr. could see more playing time early in the season with Autry suspended.

Furthermore, Autry was signed by the then-Oakland Raiders after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft out of Mississippi State. He totaled 73 solo tackles, 12 passes defended, 10½ sacks, and 21 quarterback hits in his four seasons (2014-17) with the Raiders.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound edge rusher also played for the Indianapolis Colts (2018-20) and Titans (2021-23). Through 142 career games (89 starts), he has amassed totals of 310 tackles, 31 passes defended, seven forced fumbles, and 213 solo tackles. He has also recorded 80 tackles for loss, 59 sacks, and 107 quarterback hits.

Autry is set to enter his 11th NFL season.