Reports: Deuce, Will Smith, two other Saints fail drug test
October 24, 2008
Posted by The Times-Picayune October 24, 2008 12:46PM
Categories: Saints
Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneSaints running back Deuce McAllister is reported to have failed a test for a banned substance.According to two published reports, New Orleans Saints star tailback Deuce McAllister and star defensive end Will Smith were in a group of players that have tested positive under the NFL’s steroid policy as a result of taking water pills to lose weight.
Fox 31-Denver reporter Josina Anderson first reported the story, citing an unnamed NFL source, and ESPN’s Chris Mortensen confirmed it later Friday with two sources. Anderson’s report said four Saints players failed the test. It did not name the other two players.
Saints spokesman Greg Bensel, in London with the team for its game Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, said “this is a league matter and we have no comment.”
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello also said the league has no comment on the report.
Anderson’s report cited “a rash of positive tests.” The number is more than 10 and may exceed 15, two sources told Mortensen, ESPN’s senior NFL analyst.
Under the NFL’s steroid policy, a player’s first positive test results in a four-game suspension.
According to Anderson’s report, McAllister and Smith are part of a group that tested positive for a diuretic known as Bumetanide. Others tested positive for a different substance.
“Most of them tested positive for Bumetanide,” said the league source, according to Fox 31-Denver. “The last few tested positive for another substance that works similarly.”
A source told Fox 31-Denver that Bumetanide “can also mask the use of other drugs or steroids.”
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