The NFL and NFLPA ostensibly agreed to HGH testing more than two years ago, and they’re still talking about how to implement it.
But the players union has put a stamp on the protocol for a population study of players, which could begin before the start of the regular season, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
The varied reports of progress before the start of camp were typical of the process, which has gone back and forth as the two sides argued over the particulars of the testing. The league didn’t comment on the report.
The agreement the union has submitted to the league includes language that would prevent blood taken for the population study to be subject to future tests which could lead to punishment. Many wonder if that creates a “smoke ‘em if you’ve got ‘em” atmosphere, in which players load up now, to skew the baseline levels to a point where it’s harder to test positive in the future.