The Saints front seven took a huge hit on Friday afternoon, losing one of their top linemen in David Onyemata.
Onyemata, 28, took to social media Friday morning and announced that he had tested positive for banned substances and the league later announced that he would be suspended six games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
While Onyemata is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, once the regular season hits he won’t be able to return to the team until after the Saints play the Seattle Seahawks in Week Seven on Monday Night Football.
“While I was certainly surprised and disappointed with this news, I am responsible for what I put in my body.” Onyemata said in an Instagram story, As I have never knowingly taken anything that could cause a positive test, we are currently in the process of testing the supplements I was taking at the time of the test. Regardless, I am committed to being more aware of any medication and dietary supplements that may contain substances banned by the NFL.”
The former fourth-round pick is coming off of a big 2020 campaign where he racked up a career-high 6.5 sacks.