The NFL has suspended Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson for the first six games of the 2026 season for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances (PES) policy. The NFL announced the decision as part of its daily transaction wire on Friday, Aug. 14, outlining how the suspension will affect Johnson. "[Johnson] is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games," the league's statement read. "His suspension will take effect as of the roster reduction to 53 players."
Johnson told the Winchester Star, a Virginia newspaper, that he took a fertility drug, Clomid, in an effort to help him and his wife, Gabrielle, conceive. The NFL outlines that it allows a "Therapeutic Use Exemption" for infertility, but it isn't clear whether Johnson filed the necessary paperwork to acquire permission to use the drug. The fifth-year veteran learned of his positive test in February and appealed the ruling on July 22 before receiving the six-game suspension. Johnson's appeal came just days before he originally signed with the Titans on July 27. The 28-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, racking up 66 tackles, three pass defenses and a sack while appearing in 29 games (six starts). Johnson is expected to battle for a depth role with the Titans, who brought nine new defensive backs aboard during the offseason while reshaping their defense under first-year coach Robert Saleh. Johnson tied for the team lead with five tackles in Tennessee's preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers while logging 37 of his 38 defensive snaps as an outside cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus. Johnson will be eligible to return in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season, when the Titans host the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Titans DB gets 6-game suspension for violating league's PED policy