Tennessee fullback Ahmard Hall says his NFL suspension for using performance-enhancing substances is the result of a stimulant he took to stay awake on a drive from Nashville to Texas in February.
He will sit out four games without pay in a suspension announced Saturday along with the Titans’ roster moves.
In text messages to The Associated Press, the Marine veteran said he has never taken steroids and that teammates, coaches and team officials know he took a stimulant.
“This happened back in February after the season, I basically took a stimulant to stay up while driving from Nashville to Texas, and was tested the next day at my home,” Hall wrote. “We appealed the decision back in March, but it was denied and I was informed today.”
His suspension begins immediately, and he will return to the active roster Oct. 3 after the Titans play Cleveland.
Tennessee swapped an undisclosed future draft pick to the Green Bay Packers for fullback Quinn Johnson to fill the gap in an offense that will center on the running game. Johnson, a fifth-round pick out of LSU in 2009, has played in 20 NFL games, including four starts last year for the Super Bowl winners.
Hall is a key blocker for three-time Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson.
TE’O-NESHEIM CUT
Former Washington defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim was waived by the Eagles during final roster cuts. Te’o-Nesheim was selected by Philadelphia in the third round in 2010, but a shoulder injury limited him to six games his rookie season.
BUSY BENGALS
The Cincinnati Bengals put cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones (neck surgery) and linebacker Keith Rivers (right-wrist surgery) on injured lists, sidelining them for at least the first six weeks of the season. Meanwhile, right guard Bobbie Williams was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL’s ban on performance-enhancing substances.
Elsewhere, Cedric Benson, the Bengals’ leading rusher each of the past three seasons, has been released from an Austin, Texas, jail after serving five days of a 20-day sentence for misdemeanor assault.
EXTRA POINTS
The New York Jets acquired guard Caleb Schlauderaff, a former Utah and Shelton High standout, from Green Bay for an undisclosed conditional draft choice. … Demoted defensive lineman Igor Olshansky and last year’s starting fullback, Chris Gronkowski, were among the players the Cowboys released. … The Bears terminated the contract of veteran running back Chester Taylor, who was signed to a four-year, $12.5 million contract with $7 million guaranteed in 2010. … The Broncos waived Perrish Cox, cutting ties with the cornerback who is facing a sexual assault trial later this year. … Two-time Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson was among those released by the Dolphins.
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