Michigan Football: Jabrill Peppers Tested Positive For Dilute Sample at NFL Combine

Former Michigan football player and NFL Draft hopeful Jabrill Peppers tested positive for a dilute sample at the NFL Combine, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Michigan football standout Jabrill Peppers tested positive for a dilute sample at the NFL Combine, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. He passed along the report on Twitter this afternoon.

A dilute sample is not a positive test, but, as Kevin Seifert explains, the NFL policy substance abuse policy treats them the same.

"Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers’ positive test for a diluted sample means he will enter the NFL in Stage One of the its substance abuse policy. Under the policy, a diluted sample is considered the equivalent of a positive test. There are no fines or suspensions until a player reaches Stage Two of the program."

Drinking excessive amounts of water to dilute substances that may be found in urine is a method some athletes (and non-athletes) have used to pass drug tests in the past. The NFL avoids this loophole by considering every dilute sample to be equivalent to a positive test.

Peppers’ representatives say that he was being extra cautious with his hydration due to an illness and the fact that he had participate in two days of workouts: once with the linebackers and once with the defensive backs.

Whether or not the revelation will cause his draft stock to fall remains to be seen, but most experts expect him to be selected in the late first or early second round.

Next: Draft: Lions Not Among Teams Most Interested in Joe Mixon

Peppers played as a hybrid linebacker (and a kick returner and occasional running back) for the Michigan Wolverines but is entering the NFL Draft as a safety.