Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins reveals what led to PED suspension

Arizona Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Wednesday revealed what was in his system that resulted in his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Hopkins told reporters prior to Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee’s charity softball game at Chase Field that his group is still “doing some research” at the moment, but provided some details on what PED was found in his body.

“Hopefully before the season starts maybe we can get the games down a little bit,” he said. “It wasn’t on me. I’m pretty much a naturopathic person. What it was is it’s called ostarine. There was 0.1% found in my system. If you know what that is, you know it’s contamination — not something directly taken.

“I don’t take any supplements, I’ve never taken supplements. I barely take vitamins. So for something like that to happen to me, obviously I was shocked but my team and I, we’re still trying to figure out what’s going on.”

According to WebMD, ostarine — which is not FDA approved — is a type of drug that is called a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) and is often used for athletic performance, as well as “involuntary weight loss due to illness, breast cancer, and many other conditions.”

Ostarine attaches to proteins in the body known as androgen receptors. When ostarine binds to these receptors, it tells muscles to grow.

With Hopkins already withdrawing his appeal of the six-game ban, it remains unclear as to how exactly he would get the suspension reduced.

The Cardinals’ No. 1 wideout said the situation “is what it is” but also reassured that he will be “ready by training camp.”

Hopkins finished the 2021 campaign with 572 yards and a team-high eight touchdown grabs on 42 receptions in 10 games before suffering a season-ending MCL tear that required him to have surgery. He also missed time due to a hamstring injury.

“I’m a competitor so any time I’m not on the field for me it’s frustrating,” Hopkins said. “But that’s the NFL, it’s next-man-up. I have no doubt in those guys to win those six games until I’m ready.”

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle and Scottsdale Chaparral High School alumnus Taylor Lewan was suspended for four games in 2019 for having ostarine found in his system.

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