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Reports: Jaguars' Stroud Facing Suspension For Testing Positive

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The Associated Press

Published: November 1, 2007

JACKSONVILLE - Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud practiced as usual Wednesday despite uncertainty about his future.

A newspaper and a radio station reported that Stroud is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's steroids and related substances policy. The Florida Times-Union and WJXL-AM in Jacksonville, citing anonymous sources, said Stroud tested positive for banned supplements.

According to the Times-Union, Stroud's 'A' sample came back positive last week. The paper said he exercised his right to have his 'B' sample tested Monday.

Stroud, a three-time Pro Bowl tackle who has 29 tackles and three sacks this season, declined to address the reports Wednesday, but said he expects to play at New Orleans.

'I'll be there Sunday,' Stroud said. 'I'm not here to squash rumors. I'm here to play ball. Whatever happens will happen. But right now, I'm going to focus on New Orleans. I have no comment on anything else.'

The Jaguars might have been anticipating a suspension because they signed former Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jackson to a one-year contract Wednesday. The 6-foot-2, 350-pound run-stopper led the league with 13 tackles for a loss last season.

Schaub Likely To Miss Sunday's Game Vs. Raiders

HOUSTON - Matt Schaub was still feeling the effects of a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit against San Diego, and Coach Gary Kubiak said he probably wouldn't play Sunday against Oakland.

Schaub, who has started every game for the Texans since an offseason trade with Atlanta, said his health has improved dramatically since Sunday.

Schaub was injured when he was blindsided by Drayton Florence after throwing his second interception in Houston's loss to the Chargers.

With Schaub likely out, Sage Rosenfels should get the third start of his career and his first since a 22-0 loss to Cleveland in 2005 when he was with Miami.

BROWNS: Nose tackle Ted Washington's season ended Wednesday when the former Tampa Bay Tech star, now a 17-year veteran of the NFL, was placed on injured reserve.

Washington began the season as a starter, but was inactive for two games as Ethan Kelly started in the 39-year-old's spot. The Browns said Washington has an injured left knee.

DOLPHINS: Claimed running back Samkon Gado off waivers from the Houston Texans and waived defensive tackle Sam Rayburn.

49ERS: Kicker Joe Nedney was fined $7,500 by the NFL for making an obscene gesture at fns during last week's game against New Orleans.

JETS: Wide receiver Laveranues Coles has a concussion and it was uncertain if he'll play in New York's game against Washington this weekend.

The Jets wide receiver didn't practice Wednesday and wouldn't address the injury because it's against team policy. Coach Eric Mangini was unsure if Coles will be ready to play Sunday against the Redskins.

Coles was injured last Sunday with 7:41 left in the Jets' 13-3 loss to Buffalo when he jumped to catch a pass from Chad Pennington and was immediately hit in the middle of the back by Terrence McGee.

PANTHERS: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde missed practice, leaving David Carr the front-runner to start on Sunday at Tennessee.

The 43-year-old Testaverde aggravated a right Achilles' tendon injury in the first half of Carolina's loss to Indianapolis. He sat out the second half and has been receiving extensive treatment the past three days. Testaverde was seen riding to and from the practice field Wednesday in a golf cart.

Carr, who missed the Panthers' win against Arizona, replaced Testaverde despite still recovering from compression fractures in his lower back. Saying he was only at 80 percent, Carr threw for 103 yards, but the Panthers were outscored 21-0 in the second half of the 31-7 loss.

RAIDERS: Defensive lineman Tommy Kelly will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ligament in his right knee.

REHAB FOR MARINOVICH: At Santa Ana, Calif., former Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich has been given another chance at rehabilitation after pleading guilty to drug charges.

The 38-year-old former Southern California player pleaded guilty to felony possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and misdemeanor syringe possession and resisting arrest.

OBITUARY: Former NFL defensive lineman John H. Baker Jr. died in Raleigh, N.C., his son said. He was 72.

Baker attended North Carolina Central on a football scholarship before spending 12 years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions. He may be best known for his 1964 tackle of New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle, who was photographed sitting bloody in the end zone, according to Baker's citation in the Raleigh Hall of Fame.

In the offseason, Baker worked with the Raleigh police department as a youth counselor. When he left the NFL and returned to his hometown, he became the first black appointed to the state Parole Board, where he served eight years until being elected Wake County sheriff in 1978. Baker served in the post for 24 years, until he was defeated in 2002.

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