The Dallas Cowboys just received another huge blow to their defense as cornerback Orlando Scandrick has been suspended for the first 4 games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. 

According to owner, Jerry Jones, Scandrick, who was coming off his best season as a pro, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Apparently, while on vacation in Mexico, the cornerback took something that is on the NFL's banned substances list.

The Cowboys were aware of the situation before training camp started. Scandrick appealed the ruling, but was denied by the NFL.

In a statement released by his agent, Scandrick said he did not know he was taking something that was banned by the league.

"I would like to apologize to my children, my family, the Jones family, my coaches, my teammates and my fans," Scandrick said in the statement. "Failing a drug test is far out of my character, and although I never knowingly took a performance-enhancing drug/banned stimulant while on vacation in Mexico, I take full responsibility for what goes in my body and more importantly for the embarrassment of a failed drug test. It's my goal by issuing this statement to clear my name and more importantly to be judged by what happens to me in the future. I hope that my family, my Cowboys football family and all my fans can forgive me for this situation. I look forward to a successful 2014 season."


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