Texans DE Denico Autry makes statement after PED suspension

Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry has been suspended for six games by the NFL after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Autry, 34, signed a two-year, $20 million deal with Houston as a free agent, including $10.5 million guaranteed, after recording 11.5 sacks and 50 total tackles, both career highs, for the Tennessee Titans in 2023.

Autry issued a statement on Monday expressing his shock at the positive test and saying he never knowingly or intentionally took any performance-enhancing drugs.

“During my 10-year NFL career, I have never used any performance-enhancing drugs. During that time, I have been subjected to countless tests, none of which have ever returned a positive result. So I was stunned this offseason to learn that one of my tests returned a positive result,” Autry said.

Autry said an investigation determined that a pharmacy had added a banned substance to a medication prescribed by his doctor. After finding out why his test came back positive, Autry said he notified the NFL of the incident.

“It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or knowingly ingest a banned substance,” Autry said. “However, I understand that under NFL policy, the ultimate responsibility for what goes into my body rests with me. For that reason, I have accepted the NFL’s penalty of a six-game suspension, although I intend to explore legal options regarding the circumstances that led to my positive test.”

Autry apologized to the Texans organization and his teammates for the distraction his positive test caused.

Assuming Autry serves the full six-game suspension, Houston will be without a proven pass rusher for the first few months of the new season. Autry was slated to be a key part of Houston’s defensive line after signing as a free agent, and his suspension is certainly a blow to the team’s pass rush.