Eric Winston: HGH testing to begin Monday, Oct. 6

The NFL and the NFLPA finalized the updated drug-testing program two weeks ago. Among the key revisions: HGH testing was implemented immediately for the 2015 season, and testing was expected begin by the end of September.

Officially, testing will begin Monday. NFLPA president Eric Winston offered details in a letter to players.

"As you know, the new Performance Enhancing Substances Policy includes HGH testing. Testing for HGH will begin on Monday, October 6th," Winson said, via NFL.com. "Each week of the season, 5 players on 8 teams will be tested. No testing will occur on game days. We negotiated to ensure that the
methodology of testing be conducted in the most professional and safest manner for players. Importantly, after three years of negotiating, players won the right to challenge any aspect of the science behind the HGH isoforms test in an appeal of a positive test."

Other revisions to the drug-testing program include:

• Any appeal of a positive PED test (including HGH) will go in front of a third-party neutral arbitrator. "Appeals will be processed more expeditiously" under the new policy.
• Discipline for violations of the PED policy (including HGH) will be modified.
• A first violation will be up to six games depending on the nature of the violation:
â—?/span> - Using diuretics or masking agents will result in a two-game suspension.
â—?/span> - Using steroids, stimulants, HGH or other banned substances will result in a four-game suspension.
â—?/span> - Attempting to manipulate a test will result in a six-game suspension.
• A second violation will result in a 10-game suspension.
• A third violation will result in a two-year minimum banishment.
• Testing positive for off-season banned stimulants will not result in a PED suspension; instead, the player will be put into the substance abuse program.
• "In cases involving discipline for violations other than positive tests (for example, a violation of law), the Commissioner will retain his current disciplinary authority."

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