Nazeeh Johnson gets 6-game NFL suspension

Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson has been suspended for six games by the NFL following a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Under the NFL’s unpaid-suspension structure, the discipline is expected to cost Johnson roughly $350,000 in forfeited salary, according to the figures cited with the announcement.

How the NFL policy issue unfolded Johnson publicly How the NFL policy issue unfolded Johnson publicly addressed the positive test and said Johnson publicly addressed the positive test and said he believes it was connected to a fertility medication he was taking while he and his wife were trying to conceive a child. He also said he did not complete a therapeutic use exemption, known as a TUE, which is the league’s required approval process for medically prescribed substances that appear on the NFL’s prohibited list. League rules require players to obtain TUE clearance in advance if they plan to use a substance that is banned under the policy, even when the player considers the medication medically necessary.

Strict-liability standard and the role of a TUE

Tennessee Titans The NFL’s enforcement approach is built around a strict-liability framework. Under that standard, intent, lack of awareness, or misunderstanding about whether a substance is prohibited does not prevent discipline when a test comes back positive. Johnson acknowledged he did not secure the prior approval the league requires. As described under the policy, that administrative step is central to avoiding automatic sanctions when a prohibited substance is used for medical reasons. Immediate roster and availability impact for the Titans From a football standpoint, the suspension keeps Johnson out for one-third of the regular season. The absence reduces Tennessee’s defensive depth early on and requires adjustments to the cornerback rotation and depth chart during the six-game period. The discipline also affects Johnson’s day-to-day standing with the team. He remains ineligible for team activities until the suspension is served, limiting participation in both on-field and off-field work during that window.

What remains unclear publicly

Officials’ rules around prohibited substances can create procedural Officials’ rules around prohibited substances can create procedural risks for players handling personal medical matters. In this case, Johnson’s explanation centered on fertility-related treatment, but the league’s process still turns on whether a TUE was obtained before the test result triggered discipline.

Key details have not been resolved publicly, including the exact medication involved and the timeline of use relative to the test, as well as any subsequent communications regarding a TUE.

For the Titans, the immediate focus moves to early-season coverage depth and availability. For Johnson, eligibility is time- and procedure-based: he cannot take part in team activities until the six-game suspension is completed, after which he can return under league rules.