The NFL and NFL Players Association announced Wednesday a new agreement to the league's steroids policy.
Per the official release, the NFL and NFLPA are nearing an agreement on changes to the substance abuse policy that is expected to be announced when it is completed.
The new policy means players such as Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick and St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey will be judged by the new rules and are eligible to play in Week 3.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that a higher threshold for a positive marijuana test and a two-game suspension upon conviction or plea agreement for driving under the influence also has been agreed to.
The formal agreement comes nearly one week after the players' union voted to approve a new proposal.
Per the release, HGH testing should begin by the end of the month and will be fully implemented this season. NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Wednesday there should be approximately 20 players affected by retroactive enforcement of the new policy, according to union sources.
According to Breer, the public won't learn of all the players who are affected by the new policy. Some of the players who had entered into the early stages of the program will simply be taken back a step. Names are kept confidential in the early stages of the league's drug program. Players on the first or second step of the marijuana policy could be moved back.
Per Rapoport, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has seen his year-long suspension reduced to 10 games. Gordon has already served two games of the ban and is eligible to return in Week 11. He has also been cleared to return to the Browns' facility, a provision the team had sought since the beginning.
Gordon's career selling cars appears to be over. For now, anyway.
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