The NFL went on a suspension spree Thursday, and Antonio Gates might have been the biggest name involved.
The San Diego Chargers tight end was suspended for four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, the NFL announced Thursday afternoon. It’s unclear at this point what Gates tested positive for.
Gates did, however, seem to blame the positive test on rehab efforts following the 2014 season.
“I have taken extreme care of my body with a holistic approach and I have never knowingly ingested a substance that was banned by the NFL,” he said in a statement. “In an effort to recover from this past season, I used supplements and holistic medicines and unfortunately, I have now learned that those substances always present a risk because they may contain banned substances even if the ingredient list doesn’t reflect them.”
The first game Gates will be eligible to return is for the Chargers’ Week 5 Monday night gave versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gates joined New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (four games), Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain (four games) and Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (one game) as players suspended by the NFL on Thursday.
Thumbnail photo via Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports Images
