Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended six games for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, announced at the beginning of May. An initial report from NFL.com had information that the NFLPA now is refuting.
The players association issued a statement Tuesday refuting the initial report.
On May 2, 2022, the NFL Network reported that DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension came after producing a positive test result for a “prohibited substance plus a diuretic or masking agent/attempt to substitute, dilute or adulterate a specimen/attempt to manipulate a test result.” This reporting was incorrect as Hopkins never tested positive for any diuretic or masking agent and there was absolutely no evidence of any attempt to substitute, dilute or adulterate any specimen or any attempt to manipulate a test. Pursuant to the 2022 Policy, his discipline is consistent with producing a positive test result for a prohibited substance.
In previous years, such as when Patrick Peterson was suspended for six games in 2019, a six-game suspension was given when there was a positive test for a banned anabolic agent and evidence of dilution or a masking agent.
That policy changed. Under current guidelines for PEDs, any positive test for a banned anabolic agent results in six games. The presence of a diuretic or masking agent would result in two additional games beyond that.
Hopkins said he tested for trace amounts of Ostarine but denies ever purposely taking it, saying it must be some sort of contamination. He claims he takes no supplements at all and hopes he can get his suspension reduced.
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