The Dallas Cowboys’ already battered defense took another big hit on Monday night when team owner Jerry Jones revealed that Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick will be suspended for four games.
It was revealed Monday night that Scandrick’s ban was following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. However, ESPN’s Ed Werder reported Tuesday morning that the positive test wasn’t for PEDs — at least not in the traditional sense of the term.
According to Werder, Scandrick’s suspension stemmed from the use MDMA, which is commonly referred to as “Molly.”
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FOX Sports NFL reporter Jay Glazer offered some clarification on Tuesday.
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Scandrick released a statement through his agent.
“I would like to apologize to my children, my family, the Jones family, my coaches, my teammates and my fans,” Scandrick said in the statement, according to ESPN.com. “Failing a drug test is far out of my character, and although I never knowingly took a performance-enhancing drug/banned stimulant while on vacation in Mexico, I take full responsibility for what goes in my body and more importantly for the embarrassment of a failed drug test. It’s my goal by issuing this statement to clear my name and more importantly to be judged by what happens to me in the future.
“I hope that my family, my Cowboys football family and all my fans can forgive me for this situation. I look forward to a successful 2014 season.”
Regardless, the four-game suspension puts the Cowboys in an even bigger hole to start the season.
Scandrick arguably had the best season of his career in 2013Â and was expected to shoulder a big load for the Cowboys this season. He played in all 16 games for the Cowboys where he registered 12 pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble. It’s an even bigger blow given the fact that the status of fellow Cowboys corner Morris Claiborne is also up in the air. He suffered yet another training camp injury and missed the Cowboys’ first preseason game.
Linebacker Sean Lee has already been ruled out for the 2014 season, and rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence suffered an injury in late July that will keep him out 8-12 weeks. Dallas is also without Demarcus Ware after the veteran defensive end DeMarcus Ware signed with the Denver Broncos in the offseason following his release by the Cowboys.
Thumbnail photo via Casey Sapio/USA TODAY Sports ImagesÂ
