NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans linebacker Ryan Fowler is under investigation by the NFL in connection with an apparent steroids case, Fowler's lawyer said Monday.
Peter Ginsberg said that Fowler was notified late last week that he faces suspension.
The lawyer said he assumes the investigation stems from the death last week of David Jacobs, a convicted steroids dealer who claimed to have sold drugs to pro football players. Police in Plano said Jacobs killed himself.
Ginsberg, speaking by phone from New York, said the NFL asked to speak to Fowler but nothing has been scheduled.
"He's never tested positive for any banned substance," the lawyer said. "The accusations are without any basis."
Fowler played three years for Dallas before signing with the Titans as a restricted free agent last season. He finished with 54 tackles.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment. A Titans spokesman did not return a phone call seeking comment, thought the team normally does not respond publicly to such cases.
The Dallas County medical examiner ruled Jacobs' shooting death a suicide. His on-again, off-again girlfriend also was shot to death in the master bedroom of Jacobs' home.
Jacobs was sentenced to three years probation and fined $25,000 May 1 after pleading guilty last year in federal court in Dallas to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.
Jacobs met twice with NFL security officials and gave them names of players he said bought steroids from him.
He has said he sold tens of thousands of dollars worth of performance-enhancing drugs to former Cowboys' offensive lineman Matt Lehr in 2006 and 2007.
The NFL said last week it is evaluating information provided by Jacobs.
Ginsberg said the NFL, in a letter to Fowler, did not name Jacobs, "but I assume it's him."
"The NFL provided no support for any discipline," Ginsberg said. "We've asked for corroboration, but the NFL has given us none."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
