Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2026 regular season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). The suspension, announced Friday, will see Johnson miss games until Oct. 19, though he remains eligible for preseason activities.
In a statement posted on X, Johnson revealed that his positive test stemmed from medication he was taking as part of fertility treatments with his wife. He stated that he was unaware a substance in the medication was on the league's banned list. Johnson, who married last June, emphasized the importance of players verifying any substances before use.
"My wife and I were trying to conceive a child," Johnson wrote. "We found out that I was infertile, and I took a fertility medication that was helping me try to conceive a baby. I was not aware that there was a substance in the medication that was on the banned list, and I tested positive for a PED."
Johnson did not contest the positive test or the resulting punishment. He acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, "We lost our baby a few weeks ago, and this has been an incredibly difficult time for my wife and me. Fortunately, we have nine good eggs left, so we’re holding on to hope that we’ll be able to grow our family."
Johnson signed with the Titans in July. He played in only two games in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. Previously, after being a seventh-round draft pick in 2022, he was part of the Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning team, playing in 14 regular season and playoff games. He missed the 2023 season with a torn ACL but returned in 2024, starting six of 16 regular season games and recording 56 tackles, three passes deflected, and one sack. He also played in the postseason during the team's Super Bowl run in 2025.