NFL confirms nose tackle Jason Ferguson suspended eight games for violating league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy

By at 7 March, 2010, 9:51 am

Ferguson Even if veteran nose tackle Jason Ferguson can return at age 35 from a season-ending injury, he might have to wait a good while to get back on the field. Ferguson faces an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed. Longtime NFL reporter Howard Balzer broke the story Saturday night. Ferguson, who was suspended for four games after testing positive for steroids in 1999, tore his quadriceps tendon Nov. 19 at Carolina. He underwent a surgery a few days later and faced an eight-month rehabilitation. Ferguson, who started nine games last year and played in all 16 in 2008, could be ready for training camp. But the Dolphins allowed him to hit the free-agent market on Friday. Ferguson’s injury put the Dolphins’ plans at nose tackle up in the air beyond three-year veteran Paul Soliai, who made his first NFL starts last season after Ferguson went down. Jason Ferguson was suspended in 1999 for steroids. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) When Ferguson was healthy,

the Dolphins allowed 93.7 rushing yards, compared with 135.6 rushing yards without him. Ferguson has played for three teams under Bill Parcells, beginning as a rookie in 1997 with Jets. Besides the Jets and Dolphins, Ferguson played two season for Parcells in Dallas. His 2007 season ended after one game when he tore a biceps tendon. If he could return for a 14th season, the Dolphins likely would give him a shot. But based on Balzer’s report, Ferguson, who turns 36 Nov. 28, would be available to only play during the second half of the season. Whatever happens, many expect the Dolphins to look to the future in the upcoming draft , possibly using the No. 12 pick on Tennessee NT Dan Williams, waiting to select Alabama’s 354-pound Terrence “Mount” Cody at No. 43 or possibly getting North Carolina’s Cam Thomas with the No. 74 pick.

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NFL confirms nose tackle Jason Ferguson suspended eight games for violating league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy

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