New York Giants receiver Golden Tate suspended four games for using fertility drug

New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has been suspended for four games for using a drug prescribed for fertility planning.

The 10-year veteran, who signed with the Giants in March as a free agent, announced the suspension in a Twitter post Saturday. He said he plans to appeal the punishment for violating of the NFL’s policy on performance enhancers and that he would have no further comment.

The NFL was not immediately available for comment.

The Giants’ receiving corps has been swamped by injuries in the first three days of training camp.

Sterling Shepard, who was supposed to take over as the No. 1 receiver with the trade of Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland, broke his left thumb in the opening practice on Thursday. It was disclosed the following day that wideout and kickoff returner Corey Coleman tore an ACL in the same workout.

Rookie Darius Slayton, a fifth-round draft choice, has missed the first two workouts with a hamstring injury. Brittan Golden sustained a groin injury late Friday.

The Tate suspension is the latest blow. He can practice in training camp but would not be able to play in the Giant’s first four regular-season games unless his suspension is overturned. That rarely happens.

In his statement, Tate said he and his wife met with a fertility specialist in April. He took a prescribed drug and learned shortly afterward that an ingredient in the drug was banned by the league. Tate said he reported the problem to the independent administrator of the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances and alerted his coaches and general manager.

Tate said he was confident his appeal has merit. He said he has never violated the league’s rules on banned substances and the treatment will have no effect on the 2019 season.