NFL NOTES : League Bans Lions’ Taylor for Failing Drug Test

Cornerback Terry Taylor of the Detroit Lions became the fourth NFL player to be banned from the league for life today when the league banished him after he tested positive for illegal substances for a third time.

But Taylor, 29, who is in his seventh season, can apply for reinstatement in a year. He was suspended for four games in 1988 while playing for Seattle.

A first-round draft pick in 1984, Taylor was starter for most of his seasons with the Seahawks before being traded to the Lions in 1989 for running back James Jones. He had 16 lifetime interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns.

The other players banned for life under the NFL’s drug program--which affects players testing positive three times--are running back Tony Collins, then with Indianapolis, in 1988; defensive end Dexter Manley of Washington last November and defensive end Frank Warren of New Orleans earlier this year.

Collins, who spent most of his career with New England, was reinstated this season and signed with Miami. He made the team in training camp but was released a week ago.

New York Giants running back Dave Meggett, apparently upset over his current two-year contract, skipped a team practice, according to published reports.

Meggett, who set a team record with 1,807 all-purpose yards and made the Pro Bowl as rookie last season, failed to report to Wednesday’s practice, placing his status for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins in question.

Tony Agnone, Meggett’s Baltimore-based agent, told New York Newsday that his client was ill. “I don’t think he was feeling well,” Agnone said. “I think it was a touch of the virus.”

Agnone told the New York Post that Meggett is expected to return to practice today. He told the New York Times that before this season’s training camp the Giants had agreed to discuss a contract extension, but failed to do so.

The Giants placed cornerback Mark Collins on injured reserve Wednesday with a sprained right ankle. He will be out for at least three games.

Collins won’t be eligible to practice with the team for at least four weeks.