Ngata suspended for use of PEDs
Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was suspended without pay for four games Thursday for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Ngata will miss the rest of the regular season but will be eligible for the playoffs, the league said.
Ngata said in a statement released by the team that he took Adderall, a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
“I made a mistake, and I own this,” he said.
The suspension costs Baltimore one of its defensive stars as the Ravens compete for a playoff berth. They’re 1 1/2 games behind the Bengals in the AFC North and one of six 7-5 teams tied for the second wild-card spot.
“I am deeply sorry and broken up over this,” Ngata said. “I let down my family, my teammates, Ravens fans and myself. My hope is that the Ravens make the playoffs, and I believe they can do this. And then I can come back and help us win.”
Ngata has two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 12 games this season. Rookie Timmy Jernigan, a second-round pick out of Florida State, likely will take his place in the starting lineup.
“We are disappointed with Haloti, but no more than he is with himself,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said.
The NFL is concerned about an increase in Adderall use. Its drug tests don’t differentiate between Adderall and other amphetamines, which can help with concentration and stamina. Players diagnosed with ADHD can apply for a therapeutic use exemption that permits them to take the drug.
Under its agreement with the union, the NFL doesn’t identify the substance when a player is punished. In the past, suspended players frequently blamed Adderal.
McCoy close to milestone: Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, who played at Pitt, doesn’t care exactly how he becomes the franchise leader for rushing yards, he just wants to do it in a win.
The Philadelphia star in a down statistical year needs 48 yards Sunday against Seattle to pass Wilbert Montgomery as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. McCoy has 6,491 rushing yards in 86 games. If he sets a new club high this week, it will be in 13 fewer games than Montgomery played.
Just another name for McCoy to pass. He’s already moved past Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren (5,860) and Brian Westbrook (5,995) this season, while last year he passed current Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley (4,807).
“I never thought when I got drafted here that I would hold the rushing record. That’s big. That’s something I’m looking forward to doing,” McCoy said. “The No. 1 goal is still to win the game, but if there’s a way to do both that would be great.”
Clowney out for season: Top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney will have a second knee surgery, ending his season for the Houston Texans.
Clowney visited Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday to have his right knee examined and coach Bill O’Brien announced the news Thursday.
The outside linebacker was injured in Week 1 and had arthroscopic surgery Sept. 8. He played three games since then, but never completely recovered from the procedure and said last week that he’s still in a lot of pain.
O’Brien wouldn’t address specifics of Clowney’s surgery.
The Texans drafted Clowney after a three-year career at South Carolina in which he had 130 tackles, 24 sacks, 47 tackles for losses and 20 quarterback pressures.