16 Oct 2010

Bengals defensive end suspended for doping

8:51 am on 16 October 2010

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom was given a four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing substances by the NFL after the league rejected his appeal.

Odom, a three-game starter this season, had asked before the season to have the ban reduced or wiped out but the NFL rejected his request.

An injury was likely to cost Odom some games already after he hurt his right knee in Monday's 24-21 loss to Tampa Bay.

While the Bengals have a bye this week, Odom expected he would miss two games because of injury.

Odom suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon last season but has fully recovered from that setback.