NFL hits new Giant DE Mauro with ban
The Giants are going to have to wait a little while to see one of their new free-agent signings in regular-season action.
The NFL suspended defensive end Josh Mauro on Friday for the first four games of the 2018 season after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Mauro just signed a oneyear, $880,000 deal this week.
Mauro can participate in all offseason and preseason activity, but then must leave the team until Week 5. The Giants were aware of the possible suspension before signing him.
“While I take full responsibility for this suspension, I want to clarify that my test showed traces of a banned stimulant from a preworkout supplement bought over the counter,” Mauro said in a statement. “While I didn’t and would never intentionally put anything in my body that was a banned substance, I wholeheartedly honor and respect the NFL’s drug testing policy and I take full accountability. I want to thank the entire Giants organization for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to compete and help bring another championship to such a storied franchise. I look forward to overcoming this adversity I’ve ultimately brought upon myself and will do everything I can to contribute to this team winning football games.”
Mauro followed new Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher from the Cardinals. He is expected to compete for a starting job on the defensive line.
➤ UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen revealed before working out privately for the Giants he attended dinner with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
Appearing Friday on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Rosen described the experience as “awesome,” and said the dinner came before he worked out the next morning for the Giants, who own the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.
Rosen added he had worked out privately for the Giants, Jets, Browns and Bills.
After saying he learned through Instragram that the Jets had traded up to No. 3, he demurred when asked if he believed it was because he had worked out for the team a day earlier.