The Edmonton Elks’ defensive lineman Darien Newell has been handed a nine-game suspension by the CFL due to a second positive doping violation. The suspension stems from Newell’s testing positive for banned substances cardarine and drostanolone in May.
Despite appealing the decision, an independent arbitrator upheld the positive test results and imposed the nine-game ban on Newell. In response to the suspension, Edmonton Elks’ general manager, Ed Hervey, expressed disappointment in Newell’s breach of the CFL’s drug policy but affirmed the team’s support for the league’s regulations.
This is not the first time Newell has faced such consequences. He previously received a ban for testing positive for nine prohibited substances during the 2025 CFL combine. As a result, he was ineligible to sign a CFL contract for one year but later joined the Elks in May 2026 after serving his initial suspension.
Under the CFL’s Doping Control Program, players with prior violations are subjected to mandatory drug testing. For a second positive test, like Newell’s, a nine-game suspension is enforced. The league’s policy outlines escalating penalties, with a third violation resulting in a one-year ban and a fourth leading to a lifetime suspension.
Newell, a 289-pound defensive lineman from Brampton, Ont., boasts an impressive collegiate career at Queen’s University, where he accumulated notable stats and accolades. Despite this setback, the Edmonton Elks remain committed to upholding the integrity of the sport and respecting the league’s regulations.
All players in the CFL are required to undergo mandatory drug testing following a policy violation. Those with repeat offenses, like Newell, must also engage in remedial education, assessments, and clinical evaluations to determine if further counseling is necessary.
