Texans' Autry suspended 6 games for violating PED policy

Houston Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry has been suspended six games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy.

"Over the course of my 10-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance-enhancing drugs ... I was, therefore, stunned this offseason when I learned that one of my tests returned a positive result," Autry said in a statement, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

"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."

The Texans signed Autry to a two-year, $20-million deal this offseason. Autry had a great year with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, posting career highs in sacks (11.5) and tackles (50).

Autry will be eligible to return to the Texans lineup in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers.

Houston has made other moves over the last two years to bolster its defensive front, trading up in the 2023 draft to select Will Anderson Jr. third overall and signing star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49-million deal this offseason.

Autry, 34, was signed by the then-Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He has 59 sacks and 310 tackles in 142 career contests.