Former Michigan star Jabrill Peppers failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, but his agency insists the result is all a misunderstanding.
Shortly after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that NFL teams have been notified that Peppers tested positive for a diluted sample, a spokesman for CAA — the agency that represents Peppers — explained that the positive test was a result of Peppers being ill and drinking an excessive amount of fluids.
“Peppers went to the combine. He was sick after flying there from San Diego. He has a history of cramping,” the statement read. “Peppers was being pumped with fluids, drinking 8-10 bottles of water before he went to bed, because he was the first guy to work out two days for the LBs and DBs. He had to go through that first day, come back on second day, and that was the fear. So Peppers was pounding water and under the weather. He never failed a drug test in his life, nor tested positive before for any substance.”
A diluted sample counts as a failed test because it can indicate a player was trying to flush out his system to mask having used some sort of substance. Interestingly enough, Peppers is the second star player in a week to claim his positive test was triggered excessive hydrating due to being ill.
Peppers was once considered a lock for the top 10 of the NFL Draft, but he has seen his stock fall in recent months. At least one team would reportedly love to have him late in the first round, so it will be interesting to see if the positive test has any negative impact.
