FOXBORO, Mass. — Brian Tyms might have bought himself four extra weeks to prove he deserves a spot on the New England Patriots’ 53-man roster.
The NFL announced on April 21 that Tyms is suspended four games to start the 2014 season — the Patriots signed the 6-foot-3 wide receiver on July 27, knowing about his punishment. Tyms was banned for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Tyms’ agency, MAC Sports & Entertainment, released a statement on May 2, saying that the wide receiver tested positive for Adderall, for which he has a prescription.
“Having been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyper-active Disorder (ADHD), Mr. Tyms failed the test prior to obtaining a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) from league doctors, which would allow Mr. Tyms to take the prescribed medication without violating the league’s drug policy,” the statement read. “After failing the test, Mr. Tyms was subsequently approved for the TUE. Unfortunately, the league does not allow TUE’s to apply retroactively.”
The Patriots could store Tyms on their roster past Aug. 31 roster cuts because he’s suspended. Tyms could serve as valuable depth once his suspension is over, in case the Patriots suffer injuries at wide receiver.
Tyms caught five passes for 119 yards with a touchdown in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Washington Redskins. Tyms went undrafted out of Florida A&M in 2012 and has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.
