Benjamin Watson explains why he will be banned for first four games of 2019

Benjamin Watson briefly decided to retire before changing his mind following the 2018 season, but he apparently stopped adhering to the NFL’s drug policy for long enough that he will have to sit out a portion of the upcoming year.

In a lengthy Facebook post on Sunday, Watson revealed that he has been suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season for testing positive for a banned substance. That substance was testosterone, and Watson says a doctor recommended he start taking it to help his body heal after suffering so many injuries over the years.

“As a professional athlete for the last 15 years I know very well the limitations on what can be prescribed for my overall health,” Watson wrote. “After my contract expired last March, I told my doctors I was finished playing, went through a series of medical tests and was prescribed Bio Identical Testosterone Cypionate to assist in healing my body and mind.”

Watson said he “had forgotten all about my (drug) test” in March because he had considered himself retired before taking testosterone, but he understands the NFL’s policy and why it needed to be enforced. He added that he is disappointed he will not be able to contribute right away with the New England Patriots.

We’ve heard plenty of excuses over the years for why NFL players test positive for banned substances, but Watson’s seems at least somewhat credible.