Not that it can be verified, but it is thought that protein enhanced hair gel may have been involved.

Some other possibilities come to mind. Maybe Haener got busted for some obscure thing, like if I remember right Garrett Hartley got busted once for taking adderal to stay awake on a long drive. I would like to think that would be a 4 game suspension not 6 but who knows. Maybe there are ways to get from 4 games to 6 besides the specific substance, like evidence a player didn't cooperate or appeared to try to hide it in some way or was late for their test.

Or maybe Haener took a recreational drug at a party and tried to cover it up with some trick he learned in college to dilute his urine or get a bag from a friend or something, and the NFL was able to determine that his sample fraudulent. They might have called him in for a second test but weeks later and by then he was clean. In the event of a fraudulent sample the NFL can't really know if what was being covered up was performance enhancing or recreational, so perhaps if performance enhancing is more serious it would fall under that in the event of a fraudulent sample.

I think something accidental from a supplement is possible too, just bringing up these other possibilities.

6 games, or a third of his rookie salary, for a "first time" offense seems a bit over the top. They will appeal it I would surmise. Who knows, maybe they will overturn it. I remember a former Saint or two that successfully appealed it.

I learned an embarrassing fact regarding over the counter CBD products. I work construction and sometimes get severe flare-up pain in my lower back. No OTC medication really helps so three years ago I decided to try CBD tablets to see if it would help. I asked if the CBD would show THC on a Urine Analysis test and was assured that I could "drink a gallon of CBD liquid" and it wouldn't show up on a UA.
Long story short, I don't work for Alyeska Pipeline any longer. Alaska is a big state but when you work for the pipeline, you generally know everyone from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez (the length of the piepline from the top of the state to the lower portion of the mainland state) so I know some people that are convinced that I smoked weed.
The person at the nutrition store that told me the CBD wouldn't effect my UA apparently wasn't incorrect. The UA didn't show traces of THC in my system. The hair follicle test did.

They usually don't even announce the suspension until after the appeal has already been heard.

I believe a Houston player was hit with a failed test and it was tracked down to tainted beef while in Mexico on vacation. The NFL supposedly sent out a warning to players about eating beef from Mexico or China. The best way to avoid it is to have everything you place in your body tested first even if it's on the approved list, because they can even be tainted. But that's almost impossible.

A rookie QB sitting four deep in depth with a roster spot guaranteed has absolutely nothing to gain by intentionally taking anything.

I still say it was the hair gel.

Penalties for PED Policy Infringement

Players, coaches, trainers, or agents face the following penalties for PED violation if tested positive for steroids or other banned substances:

– First-time offenders have to participate in the NFL’s drug program.

– Second- and third-time violators face fines equalling two and four games, respectively.

Further violations involve suspensions, including:

– Fourth-time offenders have to sit out four fixtures.

– Players and officials who test positive for the fifth instance miss ten games.

– Six-time violators face up to a year’s suspension.

These penalties don’t apply during the off-season. Those who fail drug tests within this period must undergo a rehab program before the next season begins.

If anyone feels unjustly penalized by the harsh rules, they can appeal to the NFL’s commissioner.