NFL, NFLPA 'still working' on drug policy

The NFL Players Association had hoped the league's revised drug policy would be finalized on Saturday in time for a handful of suspended players to be rejoin their team's active rosters.

It didn't happen.

Despite a unanimous vote from 32 NFL player representatives Friday evening on a term sheet of the comprehensive new drug policy, the process stalled when the policy was returned to the NFL and union's lawyers.

"We're still working on it," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told USA TODAY Sports in an email Saturday afternoon.

That leaves players like Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick and Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan still on their teams' suspended lists. Players must be on an active roster by 4 p.m. Saturday to be eligible to play.

Fantasy Impact: 

Welker is the one of the bigger fantasy names affected by the delay, but it appears he could be able to play Week 3. Whenever the new policy - which will include HGH testing, higher marijuana thresholds, increased penalties for drunk driving and neutral arbitration for appeals - is finalized, the NFLPA will have a full list of players who will receive "adjusted discipline," the union said in statement on Saturday. The new policy will be retroactive to March 11, 2014, the first day of the NFL year, the story says.

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