Doctor backs Peyton Manning’s denial of PED use, and source of Al Jazeera report recants story

The founder of an Indianapolis medical facility said Monday that a former unpaid student intern who claimed Peyton Manning used a banned substance in 2011 didn’t even work at the clinic until two years later — long after the NFL star was undergoing treatment, and long after the intern’s three-month stay at the anti-aging clinic had ended.

Dr. Dale Guyer, who started The Guyer Institute, said the allegations against the Denver Broncos quarterback are untrue.

Manning angrily denied using performance-enhancing substances shortly after a report on the Al Jazeera network went public Saturday. It was based on secret recordings of Charles Sly, who named other high-profile athletes and suggested Manning obtained human growth hormone via mail addressed to his wife, Ashley.

Sly has since recanted the story and told Al Jazeera the statements attributed to him “are absolutely false and incorrect.” Guyer used similar language.

“I have no reason to believe these allegations are based in fact or have any truth. In fact, I can say with absolute certainty they are not,” Guyer said. “. . . I think it is obvious that Mr. Sly has fabricated this whole thing for reasons I cannot fathom.”

Packers deny report

Green Bay defensive players Clay Matthews, Mike Neal and Julius Peppers strongly denied any ties to performance-enhancing drugs after they were named in the Al Jazeera report. Matthews, a linebacker, called the allegations “100% false” and said, “the truth will come out, and I’m not worried about it because I carry myself a certain way and that’s the right way.” Peppers, a defensive end, said the report was “completely erroneous and I think it’s irresponsible journalism, in my opinion.”

Reece suspended

Oakland fullback Marcel Reece was suspended four games without pay for violating NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league announced the ban less than a week after Reece was named to the Pro Bowl, a game for which he is now ineligible. He will miss the season finale Sunday against Kansas City and the first three games in 2016. Coach Jack Del Rio would not give any details about what led to the NFL’s action but said he didn’t feel the suspension was “really justified.”

Chargers fine Weddle

San Diego fined safety Eric Weddle $10,000 for remaining on the sideline at halftime of a Dec. 20 home game to watch his daughter dance in a program sponsored by the Chargers’ cheerleaders. Agent David Canter said he and his client decided to divulge the fine after Weddle and three other players were placed on injured reserve and told they would not travel to Sunday’s game at Denver. “If you do bad things to good people, you deserve to have your dirty laundry aired in the limelight,” Canter told Associated Press. Weddle’s contract is expiring and the team has made it clear there will be no extension.

Hoyer close to return

Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer is in the last phase of the NFL’s concussion protocol and will start Sunday against Jacksonville if he is cleared to play, the Texans said. Hoyer missed the last two games after suffering his second concussion in less than a month on Dec. 13.

Mariota tests knee

Tennessee rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota tested his sprained right knee, and the Titans are waiting to see how he feels before deciding whether to play him in their season finale at Indianapolis. In an odd twist, a win against the Colts could cost Tennessee the No. 1 pick overall in next year’s draft. But the Titans said Mariota’s health is the only factor they’ll consider when determining whether he’ll play.

Etc.

Cleveland released practice squad safety De’Ante Saunders, who was arrested on Christmas along with linebacker Armonty Bryant following a traffic stop. Saunders on Monday pleaded not guilty to operating a vehicle impaired and speeding. A handgun belonging to him was also found in the car, police said. Saunders did not have a permit for the weapon. . . . Indianapolis Coach Chuck Pagano confirmed that the Colts had former Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman in for a workout and said that if the Colts sign him, he could start against Tennessee. Starter Andrew Luck remains questionable while recovering from a lacerated kidney, backup Matt Hasselbeck finished Sunday’s game against Miami with his injured right shoulder in a sling, and third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst was put on injured reserve because of a hamstring issue, leaving recently signed Stephen Morris as the only healthy quarterback on the roster.