Tate to appeal PED suspension

Golden Tate was traded to the Eagles midway through last season

New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate will appeal a four-game suspension handed down for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Tate posted a statement explaining the failed test on social media shortly after the report. He also said that he and the Giants will “eagerly await my appeal.”

“This past April, during the off-season, my wife and I decided to see a specialist for fertility planning,” the statement begins.

“I started the treatment prescribed to me and just days later I discovered it contained an ingredient on the league’s banned substance list.

“I immediately discontinued use, I reported the situation to the Independent Administrator of the NFL Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances, and I spoke with my coaches and general manager. I did all of this well before a failed test was even confirmed.”

Tate thanked the team for supporting him and wrote that he wouldn’t discuss the matter again until after the appeal.

It’s the latest blow for the Giants, who were counting on the veteran Tate to anchor a depleted receiving corps.

Corey Coleman will miss the season with a torn ACL, and Sterling Shepard has a fractured thumb. Darius Slayton and Brittan Golden are working through hamstring and groin injuries, respectively, and are listed as day-to-day.

Alex Wesley is on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

On Friday, Tate addressed the team’s woes at wide receiver.

“Definitely a little deflated,” Tate told reporters. “Our room is kind of going through it a little bit.”

The Giants were scheduled to hold try-outs for wide receivers on Saturday morning. Contrary to earlier reports, former Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin was not on the list of attendees.

The Giants signed Tate, who turns 31 next week, to a four-year $37.5m contract during the off-season.

He spent last year with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, catching 74 passes for 795 yards and four touchdowns.