HOUSTON — Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing says he neither injected nor took any banned substances even though he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Cushing was suspended for four games without pay last week for violating the NFL’s drug policy. His appeal was denied.
Cushing confirms he tested positive for HCG, a fertility drug that is on the league’s banned substance list. He says he has no idea how it turned up in a drug test.
In a statement Saturday, Cushing said the test indicated “the presence of a non-steroidal banned substance.”
Cushing retained The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in a revote Wednesday, prompted by the penalty.
He says he took the test in September and was notified of the results in October.
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