The Edmonton Elks’ defensive lineman, Darien Newell, has been handed a nine-game suspension by the CFL due to a second positive doping test. The ban was enforced after Newell tested positive for prohibited substances cardarine and drostanolone in May.
Despite appealing the result, Newell’s case was reviewed by an independent arbitrator who upheld the suspension on Wednesday. Edmonton Elks’ general manager, Ed Hervey, expressed disappointment over the violation of the CFL’s drug policy and reaffirmed the team’s support for the league’s regulations.
Newell’s first doping violation occurred during the 2025 CFL combine where he tested positive for nine banned substances. As a consequence, he was ineligible to sign a CFL contract for one year. Following this, Newell signed with the Elks on May 4 and underwent another test in May 2026 as part of the Doping Control Program.
Under the CFL’s policy, a player faces a two-game suspension for the first violation, a nine-game ban for the second offense, a one-year suspension for the third offense, and a lifetime ban for the fourth offense. Newell, a six-foot-two, 289-pound player from Brampton, Ontario, had an impressive collegiate career at Queen’s University, earning recognition as a two-time first-team U Sports All-Canadian.
All players are obligated to undergo mandatory drug testing post-violation. For players with a second positive result, remedial education, assessment, and clinical evaluation are mandatory to determine the need for additional counseling.
