Houston Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers. Autry, who denied knowingly taking a banned substance, accepted the suspension. He explained that a pharmacy that filled a prescription for him inadvertently included the banned substance. Despite the suspension, Autry can still participate in preseason practices and games, with his first regular-season appearance scheduled for October 20 against the Green Bay Packers. He expressed his regret to the Texans organization, teammates, and fans for any distractions caused by his positive test.
Autry, at 34 years old, has had an impressive career with 59 sacks over 10 NFL seasons. He achieved a career-high of 11 1/2 sacks last season with the Tennessee Titans before signing a lucrative two-year, $20 million contract with the Texans in March. In a statement, Autry emphasized that throughout his NFL career, he has never used performance-enhancing drugs and has consistently passed drug tests. He was surprised to learn about the positive test result this offseason and provided the NFL with documentation from his physicians to confirm that he did not request or receive any banned substances.
While Autry plans to explore legal options regarding the circumstances leading to his positive test, he acknowledged the NFL’s decision and accepted the six-game suspension. He stressed that as a player, he is ultimately responsible for what enters his body, according to the league’s policies. Despite the setback, Autry remains committed to his team and the sport.
In other NFL news, the 2024 Hall of Fame Game odds have been released, featuring the Texans and Bears. Additionally, the New York Jets made a significant roster move by signing former UFL MVP and standout quarterback Adrian Martinez. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are dealing with a health concern as defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been diagnosed with blood clots.
On the contract front, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa secured a massive $212 million extension, raising questions about his value to the team. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming 2024 NFL preseason schedule, with details about dates, times, TV channels, and how to watch the games. As football enthusiasts anticipate the start of the season, they can mark their calendars for the release date of the 2024 NFL schedule.
In a lighter moment, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed the rivalry with the Las Vegas Raiders, particularly the presence of a Chiefs Muppet on the Raiders’ sideline. Mahomes assured fans that the situation would be handled in due time. Looking ahead, the Super Bowl locations and dates for 2025, 2026, and 2027 have been announced, adding to the excitement surrounding the future of the NFL.
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