Ex-Tennessee Titans DL Denico Autry hit with six-game suspension

Former Tennessee Titans and current Houston Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry has been suspended for the first six games of the 2024 NFL season.

The suspension is a result of Autry violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport .

Autry has since released a statement reacting to the ban and denies knowingly taking a banned substance. Here's what he wrote:

"Over the course of my ten-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance-enhancing drugs," the statement read. "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.

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

Autry signed with the Titans in free agency in 2021 and became a key member of the defense over his three seasons with the team. He also had his best season as a pro in Tennessee, tallying a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023.

The Titans wanted to bring Autry back in 2024, but the veteran defensive lineman ended up signing with the division rival Texans instead. Houston and Tennessee meet in Weeks 12 and 18, so as long as Autry is still healthy by then, the Titans will still see him in 2024.