Cincinnati Bengal cornerback Lewis Billups says the...

Cincinnati Bengal cornerback Lewis Billups says the team doctor gave him two Valium tablets to ease leg cramps during a game against San Francisco Dec. 9, “but . . . whoa, it was kind of hard to play football like that. I had to come back out.”

The doctor, Robert Heidt Jr., could not be reached for comment.

Valium is not among the NFL’s banned substances, but because it is a prescription drug administered only by a team physician, a report must be filed to the league office, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Mark Siegel, a Cincinnati orthopedic surgeon who treats high school athletes, said: “I’d hate to second-guess, but I’d be very cautious to give Valium to someone who is going to perform a direct impact type of sport like football.”