Haloti Ngata: Thanksgiving, family fatigue led to Adderall suspension

Ravens star defensive end Haloti Ngata was suspended for the final four games of the regular season after testing positive for Adderall without having a waiver to use it, and, informed his employers and the NFLPA that he used it to get a boost at home during the holidays.

Ngata quickly admitted the use after the positive test and had no inclination to appeal. He told the parties privately that, with three small children at home and feeling the grind of the season, he took the drug to be in a better state of mind to help with them around the house and tend to them. The drug, often used by college students to boost their energy and clarity as they pull all-nighters to study for exams, is banned by the NFL as a substance of abuse unless a player has a medical waiver to stipulate he is using it for ADD or some other behavioral issue.

It is also widely known around the NFL that players will use the drug before a game to get more amped and focused as well, and while Ngata’s version of events will surely draw some skepticism, his interactions with the Ravens were very positive all week, sources said, with general manager Ozzie Newsome having considerable dialogue with the star defender and his representatives this week. Ngata is having his best season in years, back healthy again, and his absence will be significant for a defense that was already suffering against the pass.

Ngata's deal is up following the 2015 season, and he carries a heavy $16 million cap number ($8.5 million of it in base salary) that will be cumbersome for Baltimore. The situation was already likely heading to some sort of resolution, either a short-term extension or perhaps his release, with the team having to juggle several big contracts, including quarterback Joe Flacco's.

Talks between the team and Ngata about an extension didn't really go anywhere last offseason, and the best case for the Pro Bowl performer now would be for Baltimore to reach the playoffs without him and him able to end the season on a high note with a strong postseason performance.

The Ravens retain a desire to keep Ngata fpor 2015 and beyond, and while it’s hard to imagine a player of his accomplishments taking a pay cut to stay, there is potential for the sides to work out a new deal prior to the start of free agency. After Ndamukong Suh, Ngata would likely be the next most sought after defensive tackle on the market if he got released.