RB Chatman Suspended First Four Games for Violating the League Abuse Policy

RB Jesse Chatman will watch the first four games, as the league Saturday suspended him without pay for violating the league’s steroids and related-substances policy.  “It’s always disappointing, but it’s a program that the league has set up and something that I understand and Jesse understands the consequences of,” coach Eric Mangini said. “Jesse has had a very good training camp and really punctuated it with his game against the Eagles. He’s disappointed and so am I, but I look forward to him being able to come back and contribute.”

The agent for Chatman, Brett Tessler, said that his client never tested positive for a steroid or any other performance-enhancing drug. “Near the end of last season, the league claimed he had a diuretic in his system that they said could also be used as a masking agent,” Tessler said. “After Jesse spent great time and money defending his innocence, the league made its final ruling and now he has no choice but to look ahead to Week 5.”