FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry has completed his entire six-game suspension for a violation of the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy and is expected to be officially activated to play next Sunday in a road game against the Green Bay Packers.
Autry has been working out at the Texans’ training facility and is healthy and in shape, per league sources. His suspension term ends Monday, making him eligible for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to formally reinstate him.
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“He’s ready to go,” a source said.
Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry suspended for six games for PED violation (click2houston.com)
Having Autry back further bolsters an already strong defense that includes Pro Bowl pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. One of the top five defenses in the NFL, the Texans are led by Anderson’s 4 1/2 sacks followed by 2 1/2 sacks from Hunter and two sacks apiece from Mario Edwards Jr. and Tim Settle Jr. Edwards has played well as the starter during Autry’s absence, recovering a fumble with eight tackles and one quarterback hit against the New England Patriots on Sunday in a 41-21 win at Gillette Stadium.
The Texans signed Autry to a two-year, $20 million contract that includes $10.5 million guaranteed this offseason.
Autry, 34, had 50 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed last season for the Tennessee Titans.
He signed a three-year, $21.5 million with the Titans in 2021. He was previously with the Indianapolis Colts and signed a three-year, $17.8 million in 2018.
Autry (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders. He has recorded 310 career tackles, 59 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries and 31 passes defensed.
Autry issued a statement through his agent, Rodney Edwards, at the time of his suspension saying he mistakenly took a banned substance. He has legal counsel representing him in this matter.
Autry’s suspension began after the preseason.
“Over the course of my ten-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance enhancing drugs,” Autry said in a statement. “Over that period, I have been subject to countless tests, none of which have ever returned a positive result. I was, therefore, stunned this offseason when I learned that one of my tests returned a positive result. I immediately investigated the matter and discovered that a pharmacy to which my doctors submitted a prescription for a different medication, had, whether intentionally, recklessly, or negligently, included a banned substance. I want to be clear, at no time did I know or even suspect that this medication contained a banned substance. Upon discovering the source of the positive test, I immediately retained legal counsel in connection with this matter. My counsel provided the NFL with information, including documentation from my doctors, establishing that I neither asked for nor was prescribed any banned substances.
“It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance. I understand, however, that under the NFL’s policies, ultimate responsibility for what enters my body rests with me. To that end, while I intend to explore legal options pertaining to the circumstances that resulted in my positive test, I have accepted the NFL’s punishment of a six-game suspension. I want to apologize to the Texans organization, my teammates, and the fans for any distraction this may cause. Finally, I want to assure our fans that my commitment to competing to the best of my ability has only grown and I look forward to returning to the field.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
