Wife says NFL denied Titans CB Nazeeh Johnson’s appeal after fertility medication led to positive PED test, six game suspension
Tennessee Titans cornerback Nazeeh Johnson has been battling for a roster spot all while living through a family tragedy, and the NFL’s suspension just made things even worse.
Tennessee Titans reserve cornerback Nazeeh Johnson was suspended for six games on Friday for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. The suspension alone would have been a minor roster footnote for a player fighting for one of the last cornerback spots in training camp.
Hours later, Johnson shared a statement on social media about infertility struggles and a recent miscarriage with his wife that reframed the entire situation and left fans wondering why he’s being suspended at all.
Before Johnson’s statement surfaced, the NFL’s Communication and Public Affairs Office sent out a standard release Friday afternoon.
“August 14, 2026
Tennessee’s Johnson Suspended for First Six Games of the 2026 Regular Season
Nazeeh Johnson of the Tennessee Titans is suspended for the club’s first six regular season games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy.
Johnson is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games. The suspension will begin on August 30 and he will be eligible for reinstatement on Monday, October, 19.”
At first, the news didn’t carry much weight. Johnson is not a starter. He’s not even guaranteed to make the roster. But the statement he posted to his X account a few hours later changed the tone entirely.
“My wife and I were trying to conceive a child. We found out that I was infertile, and I took a fertility medication that was helping me try to conceive a baby. I was not aware that there was a substance in the medication that was on the banned list, and I tested positive for a PED. Lesson to all NFL players and new players coming into the league: do not put anything in your body without following the process and getting approval beforehand. We lost our baby a few weeks ago, and this has been an incredibly difficult time for my wife and me. Fortunately, we have nine good eggs left, so we’re holding on to hope that we’ll be able to grow our family.”
It seemed like Johnson was going to accept his six-game suspension and move forward. It’s an admirable decision to share something so personal and vulnerable, and I know a lot of families are dealing with similar struggles around infertility.
However, I then saw Johnson’s wife in the replies to his X post sharing extra context to fans sharing kind words and asking questions about a potential appeal. The Johnson family tried. The NFL denied the appeal, according to Gabby Johnson.
Johnson’s roster battle gets significantly harder
The 28-year-old joined the Titans right as training camp began after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson was a seventh-round pick by Kansas City in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Marshall, where he played for the Thundering Herd. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi was in the Chiefs’ front office when they drafted him, which explains the connection.
In four seasons with the Chiefs, Johnson saw relatively limited action. He compiled 66 total tackles, three pass defenses, and one sack in 29 games with six starts coming in the 2024 season.
Johnson joined Tennessee two days before training camp and will not come close to cracking a starting group that is set in stone. The Titans have significant money attached to cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dalel Flott on the outside, with Marcus Harris in the slot as the nickel. Former Chiefs teammate Josh Williams, who signed a two-year, $10 million deal in free agency back in March, also appears locked in on the roster.
That leaves Johnson fighting for one of the last cornerback spots against names like Micah Robinson, Keydrain Callighan, and a few others. Johnson has shown he can make plays in practice. He had an interception during joint practices against the San Francisco 49ers. But a six-game suspension makes it tough to know what the Titans will be able to do with him when they need cornerback depth that can contribute immediately.
A tough situation all around
The Titans did not put up their best performance in the secondary during the first preseason game in San Francisco, and cornerback depth remains a need heading into roster cuts. Johnson’s suspension only complicates that picture.
But the football side of this story takes a back seat to the human side. Johnson’s message was tough to read and admirable to share. Thoughts are with him and his family, and we’ll see how the rest of this preseason plays out.
