A suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing policy has effectively ended star wide receiver Will Fuller’s 2020 season. As if the news couldn’t get any worse for the Houston Texans, cornerback Bradley Roby was also suspended for six games ending his season immediately.
In response Fuller wrote the following message on Instagram:
“Earlier this year, I sought treatment from a medical professional who prescribed medication that he believed to be permitted under the NFL’s drug policy. As it turns out, my trust in this professional was misplaced because this medication was NOT a permitted substance under the NFL Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances.
“As a result of this mistake, I have been suspended for six games for taking this prohibited medication. I want to sincerely apologize to the Texans organization and all of my fans for this mistake. I am looking forward to putting this all behind me and returning better than ever in 2021.
“Thank you, Will.”
(image credit – profootballnetwork.com)
Roby also issued a statement on social media, revealing he “unknowingly used a product that was contaminated with a banned substance by the NFL”
After missing 22 games in his first four seasons, Fuller was right in the middle of a career year that had him nearing 1000 yards receiving with half a dozen games left to play. Through the first 11 games of the season, the Texans offense has become more reliant on Fuller in the passing game. With a career-high eight touchdowns, and 879 yards, Deshaun Watson and the Texans will surely be missing Fuller for the remainder of the year.
While the suspension is a setback for the Texans organization, Fuller who is in the last year of his rookie deal is looking for a bigger contract. Fuller is expected to attract plenty of attractive offers around the league with his shift in production showing pace for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. This is still likely to be the case even if he will only be able to play 15 of 16 regular season games next season.
With Fuller suspended, the Texans (4-7) are left with four wide receivers: Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee, Isaiah Coulter and Steven Mitchell, who is on the practice squad.
(image credit – yardbarker.com)
The Texans are also facing a tough situation with Bradley Roby out six games. Roby, 28, is the Texans top cornerback in a league where it is tough to find consistent, strong cornerbacks. Through the first ten games of the season Roby accumulated 37 tackles, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery after signing a $31.5 million contract in March 2020.
The Texans are left with Vernon Hargreaves and Phillip Gaines, at the cornerback position.
