When HGH testing begins on Monday, the NFL will embark on an effort that will result in more than 1,300 samples being analyzed per year.
Per a league source, the NFL will be conducting 950 HGH tests in the preseason, regular season, and postseason combined. Another 385 HGH tests will be conducted in the offseason.
In contrast, Major League Baseball conducts roughly 400 HGH tests per year.
A computer will randomly select five teams per week, and then randomly select eight players from the active roster, practice squad, and any reserve lists. Excluded from the pool will be players already subject to reasonable-cause testing.
The PED policy currently tests 10 players per week per team during the season, which results in 320 urine tests per week.
Less than one tablespoon of blood will be drawn for HGH testing, via a small butterfly needle inserted in the arm. It will be similar to the amount of blood drawn as part of each player’s preseason physical. While one source told PFT that some players weren’t crazy about submitting to blood tests, the procedure will be conducted by trained and experienced professionals.