Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was suspended without pay for six games for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Wednesday.
McCoy, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, said in a statement posted to Twitter that he was prescribed a banned substance "to help with scar tissue and tendon strength from a previous injury" and that it was "an honest mistake."
The NFL said McCoy will immediately begin serving the suspension without pay while on the team's reserve/injured list.
"I love the game of football and have nothing but respect for the players, fans, and this league," McCoy said in his statement.