Bengals DE Odom to play while appealing positive test

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom tested positive for a substance banned by the NFL but he expects to be cleared of any wrongdoing because the banned element is contained in a prescribed medication, a source with knowledge of the situation said Friday. Odom has not been notified of any suspension -? he has been notified of the positive test result -- and he is expected to play in the season opener Sunday at New England, the source said. Odom is appealing the positive test but it is not known how long that process would take. He is expected to be allowed to play through that process. The source said that Odom takes medications for certain medical conditions but would not specify those conditions or the prescribed medications. The positive test result did not involved performance enhancing drugs, recreational drugs or alcohol, the source said.

Odom said as much on his Twitter page Thursday night: ?To my fans and teammates: Please don?t believe the rumors. Yes, I tested positive for banned a substance but it wasn?t steroids or PEDs. More details to come but for now it?s a league issue that?s under appeal. Just know that I would never cheat to gain an edge in this game that I love. Don?t lose your faith in me and please don?t pass judgment based on vicious rumors until all the facts are known. Thanks you for all your support. I really need it now. I love all of you.? There is a provision in the NFL?s banned substance policy that allows players to take prescription medicines that could contain banned substances or elements of a banned substance. Odom wasn't available Friday during the team's open locker room period. Coach Marvin Lewis said there was no change in the status of the appeal. "It's something that's been ongoing for a while," Lewis said. "Obviously a couple guys played last night (in the Saints' 14-9 win over the Vikings) who have been through that who are still playing." The 28-year-old lineman led the team with eight sacks when he tore his right Achilles' tendon only six games into last season. He still led the team in sacks for the season despite his injury. He has fully recovered from the injury. Odom missed time during training camp because of an illness and a sore knee, but is expected to rejuvenate a defensive line that made pressuring the quarterback a priority this season. The Bengals signed Odom as a free agent from Tennessee in 2008, their major offseason acquisition to help the defense. A foot injury limited him to eight starts and three sacks in his first season with the Bengals. Last season, he emerged as one of the NFL's best at getting to the passer. He has seven sacks in the first two games, an NFL record. He was tied for the league lead when he tore his Achilles' on Oct. 18. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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