Dallas Cowboys running back Ronald Jones said Tuesday that heart medicine he has taken since entering the NFL was the cause of a recent failed drug test that led to a two-game suspension.
Jones was handed a two-game suspension without pay Monday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
“We tried to appeal. I asked for a re-test, sample my blood, my health concerns and they didn’t really look at it,” Jones said. “I think there needs to be more protection for the players because if you have health issues, we’re a human being outside of football and we have real-life issues, too. My family suffers from heart disease.
“I just want to clear my name in terms of, I’m not cheating the game of football. It’s literally a prescription medicine.”
Jones, 25, will miss the Cowboys’ opening games against the New York Giants and New York Jets. He’ll be allowed to return to the Cowboys’ active roster on Sept. 18 ahead of their Week 3 game at Arizona.
The Cowboys signed Jones to a one-year contract in March. He played last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones finished with 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown in six games (no starts).
Jones is third on the Cowboys’ depth chart at running back behind Tony Pollard and Malik Davis.
Selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jones has 505 carries for 2,244 yards and 19 touchdowns in 61 career games (25 starts) with the Buccaneers and Chiefs. He also has 77 catches for 593 yards and a score.
–Field Level Media
