Giants LB Ryan Anderson suspended six games for violating NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy

New York Giants linebacker Ryan Anderson has been suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy, the league announced Sunday. 

Anderson is allowed to participate in New York's final preseason game against the New England Patriots on Sunday as his suspension will begin Week 1 of the regular season. 

The 27-year-old will be eligible to return on Monday, Oct. 18, after the Giants' Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams. 

Anderson signed with the Giants after four seasons with the Washington Football Team. He began training camp on the non-football injury list after suffering a back injury.

Anderson likely tested positive for an anabolic agent, which results in a six-game suspension for a first offense, according to the NFL's policy. However, it's unclear what he tested positive for. 

But based on the consequences for testing positive for a stimulant, diuretic or masking agent (two games) and testing positive for a prohibited substance plus diuretic or masking agent (eight games), it seems likely he tested positive for an anabolic agent.

In nine games with the Washington Football Team in 2020, Anderson recorded nine tackles and one tackle for a loss. He was a second-round draft pick out of Alabama in 2017.