Former Tennessee Titans and current Houston Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry will be suspended for the first six games of the 2024 NFL season for violating the league's performance enhancing drugs policy, the NFL Network reported Monday.

Autry signed with Houston in free agency this spring after totaling 28.5 sacks with the Titans over the last three seasons, including 11.5 sacks in 2023.

The 34-year-old versatile defensive lineman apologized to the Texans organization in a statement provided to the NFL Network while also noting that he "did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance."

Denico Autry statement on NFL suspension, positive PED test

"I understand, however, that under the NFL's policies, ultimate responsibility for what enters my body rests with me," Autry said in the statement. "To that end, while I intend to explore legal options pertaining to the circumstances that resulted in my positive test, I have accepted the NFL's punishment of a six-game suspension."

When can Denico Autry return from suspension?

Autry will be eligible to return on Oct. 20 at Green Bay after missing games at Indianapolis, vs. Chicago, at Minnesota, vs. Jacksonville, vs. Buffalo and at New England.

The Titans and Texans will play this season on Nov. 24 at Houston and Jan. 5 in Nashville.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Denico Autry suspended for positive PED test, ex-Titan to miss 6 games