New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate’s appeal of his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on PED usage was denied by the league on Tuesday.
Tate will now have to sit out the Giants’ first four games of the regular season and will forfeit $1.797 million in salary and bonus for those games.
Tate tested positive when a fertility drug he was prescribed in April contained a banned substance, a month after the Giants signed him to a four-year, $37.5 million contract.
“Tate states just days later he noticed the prescription “contained an ingredient” on the banned substance list, so he discontinued using it and informed an independent administrator, his coaches, and GM Dave Gettleman.” – Rotoworld
The Giants acknowledged that part of his story and said they were aware of the suspension heading into camp. The appeal was heard on Tuesday and the league had three days to render a decision on whether to uphold, rescind or reduce the suspension.
Tate can continue to play in preseason games and practice with the team until the regular season begins. He will be placed on the suspended list rather than the 53-man roster, meaning he cannot participate in team activities.
The Giants will proceed with Sterling Shepard (providing his thumb is fully healed), Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard, Bennie Fowler and others at wide receiver until Tate returns for the Giants’ Week 5 contest versus the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on October 6.
