Redskins tight end Fred Davis has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy, a suspension that was initially reported in January for the impending free agent.
Davis was suspended the final four games of the 2011 season for what he said was a failed test for marijuana use. Davis released a statement via the NFL Players Association on Wednesday afternoon claiming that pot had nothing to do with this suspension, which he blamed on unwittingly taking a supplement that included banned substances.
"I would like to clarify the circumstances that resulted in my current suspension. In the past, I made the mistake of knowingly ingesting a banned substance. For over two years, Ive worked very hard to eliminate marijuana from my life, and I have not had a positive test for it since 2011,” Davis said. “Unfortunately, a couple of months ago I took a supplement that contained a banned substance. I now know that supplements are not regulated by the FDA and may contain banned substances. The NFL Policy is strict, and not knowing that a supplement might contain a banned substance doesnt excuse a violation of the policy. Ive worked closely with the NFLPA and NFL to resolve this violation, and I will be permitted to apply for reinstatement in the fall. I look forward to staying in football shape, remaining in compliance with the NFL policy, and having a chance to get back on the field to contribute to a teams success next season."
Davis may need to be reinstated by the league before he finds a job this offseason, which won’t put him in the best of positions to help a team during the 2014 season. After an Achilles injury in 2012 and a drop down the depth chart in 2013, that’s not a great trajectory for his once-promising career.