PED testing too frequent for Beckham
Odell Beckham Jr. is sick of losing and frustrated with seemingly being asked to take tests every other week by the NFL for performance-enhancers.
Beckham tweeted about the tests Thursday before the Giants (0-2) practiced for Sunday’s game in Houston against the Texans (0-2).
“It’s actually funny how I ‘randomly’ get tested every other week,” Beckham wrote. “Dear @NFL please stop sending these people, ur takin away from meeting times and film... thanks.”
Beckham has never been suspended by the league for using a banned substance.
As far as losing, Beckham hasn’t been on the field for a win since the end of the 2016 season. He was hurt in Game 5 last year, breaking his ankle against the Chargers.
There are limits to the amount of times a player can be tested.
Under the 2018 NFL Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances, the program is run by an independent administrator. A computer randomly picks up to 10 players a week to be tested.
Players may have their urine and or blood tested a maximum of 24 times annually for reasonable cause. Offseason tests are limited to a maximum of six urine and/ or blood tests per player.
Once informed they have been chosen for testing, players have three hours to submit a sample.
The program was set up in collective bargaining between the league and the NFL Players Association.
Hours after his tweet, Beckham seemed more tolerant about the tests, which he said were for performance-enhancers.
“Yeah, that’s like steroids. I’m looking big!” said the 25-year-old who recently became the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. “This is like performance-enhancing stuff. I pretty much get tested every week. I’ll just take it as a compliment.”
Eagles: Carson Wentz has been waiting for this moment since he tore up his knee last December. No. 11 will be back under center for Philadelphia (1-1) against Indianapolis s (1-1) on Sunday after watching his teammates win the Super Bowl without him in February, and missing the first two games this season.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Wentz, who will wear a brace on his left knee. “It’s been quite the grind of an offseason. There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of built-up almost anxiety over when it was going to be that time, and almost relief finally being cleared to get back out there.”
Broncos: Quarterback Case Keenum returned to practice after missing a day with a sore knee. Keenum didn’t want to miss Wednesday’s workout but said he understood that being cautious in September will give him a better chance of staying in the lineup all season.
Right tackle Jared Veldheer (concussion) was cleared to return to activity but not contact Thursday. Linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) and cornerback Adam Jones (thigh) were held out again.
Jaguars: Running back Leonard Fournette practiced in a limited capacity for the second straight day and feels “a lot better, like way better” than he did a week ago.
Fournette strained his right hamstring in the season opener at the Giants and sat out this past Sunday’s victory against New England. The Jaguars (2-0) host AFC South rival Tennessee (1-1) on Sunday.
Patriots: Tight end Rob Gronkowski is dealing with an ankle issue as the Patriots prepare for their Week 3 matchup with the Lions. Gronkowski was a limited participant in practice Thursday after participating in Wednesday’s workout. He has started both games for New England this season. He has nine catches for 138 yards and touchdown.
Defensive end Trey Flowers and safety Patrick Chung missed practice for the second straight day as they continue to go through the league’s concussion protocol.
Packers: Might get injured inside linebacker Oren Burks back for their game Sunday against the Redskins. The rookie appeared to be in line to open the season as the starter inside alongside Blake Martinez when he hurt his shoulder during warmups before a preseason game last month in Oakland. He was cleared Wednesday to return to practice as a full participant.
Depth has also been replenished at running back, where Aaron Jones figures to return Sunday after missing the season’s first two games after being suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Bengals: While Minnesota and Cleveland changed kickers after only two games, the Bengals gave Randy Bullock a two-year contract extension for his perfect start. Bullock is one of 11 kickers in the NFL who have yet to miss.