NFL player blames fertility medication for positive drug test
August 15, 2026 8:05 pm
Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson says a fertility medication he was taking while trying to start a family with his wife led to a positive test that resulted in a six-game NFL suspension.
The NFL suspended Johnson without pay for the first six games of the 2026 regular season for violating its Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy.
The suspension takes effect on August 30, although he remains eligible to participate in the Titans’ preseason activities and games.
As reported by BBC Sport on Saturday, Johnson, 28, explained the circumstances in a statement on X, saying he and his wife had been undergoing fertility treatment after learning that he was infertile.
He said he did not know that the medication contained a substance prohibited under the NFL’s rules.
Johnson also revealed that the couple recently lost their baby, describing the period as an extremely difficult time for them.
He said they are still hopeful of growing their family, noting that they have nine viable eggs remaining.
The defensive back used the experience to warn other NFL players about taking medications without first checking whether they contain banned substances.
“Do not put anything in your body without following the process and getting approval beforehand,” Johnson said in his statement.
Johnson joined the Titans in July after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he appeared in 29 games for Kansas City and was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning teams.
His suspension means Johnson will miss Tennessee’s first six regular-season games if he remains on the roster. He is scheduled to become eligible for reinstatement on October 19.
Johnson’s wife has since said the family appealed the suspension but that the NFL denied the appeal, despite submitting more than 50 documents.
For Johnson and his wife, however, the suspension comes against the backdrop of a much more personal struggle as they continue their efforts to have a child.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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