Golden Tate Loses Appeal, Suspended Four Games by NFL

The New York Giants wide receivers corps has taken yet another hit.

On Tuesday, the NFL denied the appeal of wide receiver Golden Tate in regards to a performance enhancing drug violation, and as a result, will miss the first four games of the season without pay.

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— New York Giants (@Giants) August 13, 2019

Tate was notified of his suspension on July 27, but cited the positive test stemmed from taking a “fertility treatment” medication prescribed by a doctor. The prescription contained an ingredient on the league’s banned substances list, and Tate discontinued use after discovering it. Despite appealing, Tate faced an uphill battle, as the NFL has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to PED’s, as listed in the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

As a result of his suspension, Tate forfeits $464,705. Additionally, Tate will make $1.975 million in salary for the upcoming 2019 season.

Tate released his second statement regarding his suspension hours after the ruling was made. The veteran receiver believed he could be the exception to the rule, and hopes the league’s PED rules can be reformed in the future

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— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) August 13, 2019

Impact on Giants

The New York Giants will now be without Tate for their matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Redskins. Tate will be reinstated to the team’s active roster on Sept. 30, just prior to their Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

On Monday, prior to Tate’s denied appeal, receiver Amba Etta-Tawo suffered a torn Achilles tendon in practice. With Etta-Tawo done for the season, the Giants placed him on injured reserve, while signing former Monmouth University tight end Jake Powell in a corresponding move.

Not to mention, the team lost Corey Coleman for the season due to a torn ACL.

Here’s what the Giants wide receiver depth chart will look like entering the regular season opener against the NFC East rival Cowboys.

• Sterling Shepard
• Cody Latimer
• T.J. Jones
• Bennie Fowler
• Russell Shepard
• Darius Slayton

Don’t forget about tight end Evan Engram, who will be heavily relied upon in the first month of the season. Engram can line up at wide receiver, with Rhett Ellison assuming tight end responsibilities.

Life without Odell Beckham Jr. became that much more difficult for the Giants, as Golden Tate won’t be activated until Oct. 5.