Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry received a six-game suspension from the NFL after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) he claims to have unknowingly taken .
In a lengthy statement posted to social media, Autry said that he was “stunned” after learning his test came back positive for banned substances, adding he’d never intentionally ingested PEDs during his 10 seasons in the league.
"Over the course of my 10-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance-enhancing drugs," Autry began. "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.”
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Upon looking into the cause for the positive test results, Autry allegedly learned that a pharmacy mistakenly issued him a banned substance in a prescription order sent in by his doctor.
"I immediately investigated the matter and 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,” he continued. “I want to be clear, at no time did I know or even suspect that this medication contained a banned substance.
"Upon discovering the source of the positive test, I immediately retained legal counsel in connection with this matter. My counsel provided the NFL with information, including documentation from my doctors, establishing that I neither asked for nor was prescribed any banned substances.”
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Despite pleading his innocence, Autry accepted the NFL’s six-game suspension, though once again asserted that he did not intend on taking PEDs.
“It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance,” he said. “I understand, however, 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.
"I want to apologize 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 and I look forward to returning to the field."
In 17 games played for the Tennessee Titans last season, Autry amassed a career-high 11.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. On the heels of the late-career resurgence, the Texans awarded him with a two-year, $20 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed in March.
Autry will still be eligible to participate in all of the Texans’ preseason practices and games, according to the NFL. The 34-year-old will be permitted to return to regular-season action after Houston’s Week 6 game against the New England Patriots on October 13.
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