BREAKING: Two New Bills additions suspended 6 games for PEDs, Adam Schefter

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane announced Friday that defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and defensive end Michael Hoecht will miss the first six games of the season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), violating the NFL’s policy.

Speaking at a news conference, Beane acknowledged the suspensions, emphasizing that neither player had previous off-field issues. He noted that the team is treating their absence similarly to players starting the season on injured reserve. Both will be allowed to participate in offseason workouts and training camp before rejoining the team facility after four weeks and becoming eligible to play after six.

Ogunjobi, previously with the Pittsburgh Steelers, learned of his positive test around the time he finalized his one-year deal with Buffalo. The team was unaware of the situation beforehand. Ogunjobi took full responsibility for the violation, stating, “I understand we have an obligation to know what we put in our bodies. I take full accountability—it was a mistake and an accident.” He praised the organization for handling the situation with professionalism.

Beane made it clear that the Bills would not have pursued Ogunjobi had they known about the impending suspension. By the time they learned of it, many other defensive tackles had already signed with other teams.

Ogunjobi personally informed Beane of the situation on Thursday, causing a delay in finalizing his contract as new terms had to be worked out. Beane commended Ogunjobi for his honesty, noting that the league had not yet been informed of the positive test at the time.

Meanwhile, the Bills were aware of Hoecht’s suspension before signing him to a three-year deal. The former Los Angeles Rams lineman tested positive for a testosterone-related substance during the offseason and notified interested teams during free agency. Hoecht admitted that his mistake came from placing too much trust in a long-time trainer and failing to thoroughly check what he was consuming.

“It was careless, and it’s fully my responsibility,” Hoecht said. “I want to learn from it and help other athletes avoid the same mistake.”