NFL suspends Texans DE Denico Autry for 6 games for violating PED guidelines

The NFL has suspended Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry for six games for violating the league’s doping policy.

Autry issued a statement saying he never intentionally ingested a banned substance:

The Texans signed Autry to a two-year, $20 million deal in the offseason. All guarantees in Autry’s contract are void due to the PED ban, so the team could theoretically move on and try to recoup his $6 million signing bonus.

It’s much more likely that the Texans will allow Autry to serve his suspension in the hopes that he can return refreshed for the Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers.

Autry is entering his 11th NFL season and is one of the most successful undrafted players of his generation. After graduating from Mississippi State University, he joined the Las Vegas Raiders and was in their defensive end rotation for four years before moving to Indianapolis and becoming a full-time starter.

Autry was a staple in the starting lineup during his three seasons in Indianapolis before joining the Tennessee Titans in 2021. He is coming off the best statistical season of his career, recording 50 tackles and 11.5 sacks, both career highs.

Mario Edwards Jr. and Jerry Hughes could get more playing time at the start of the season due to Autry’s suspension.