'Inadvertent mistake'

Falcons' Buchanan suspended for steroid use

Moving right along Click the image to launch the clip Dan Reeves expresses his disappointment with Ray Buchanan's four-week suspension. Start Video Plus Visit Video Plus for all the latest video and audio.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Atlanta Falcons cornerback Ray Buchanan was suspended for four games Wednesday after he tested positive for anabolic steroids.

Buchanan, a Pro Bowler in 1998, has 27 interceptions during the last five years, more than any other player in the NFL.

Falcons head coach Dan Reeves said he learned last week from the league that Buchanan, a 10-year veteran, may have tested positive for steroids.

The suspension begins with Sunday's home opener against the Chicago Bears. Buchanan can have no contact with the team during his suspension.

"No question that's a blow to our team," Reeves said. "We'll try to win football games with the people we have."

Buchanan issued a statement saying he was guilty of an "inadvertent mistake."

"Evidently, I took a supplement of some sort that had a steroid derivative in it," he said. "Either way, it was my mistake, and I will serve my penalty. I would like to apologize to my teammates, the Falcons organization and the Atlanta Falcons fans. I will learn from this."

Buchanan, 30, led the team with five interceptions last season and has 43 in his career.

Buchanan, a third-round draft pick by Indianapolis in 1993, re-signed with the Falcons last year. He received a six-year, $36-million contract that included a team-record $8 million signing bonus.

The Falcons signed cornerback Rodney Heath, recently cut by Carolina, to replace Buchanan on the roster.

Juran Bolden, who is questionable for Sunday's game because of an injury, will start for Buchanan if he's able to play.

Bears safety Moore suspended four games

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears safety Damon Moore has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL substance abuse policy.

Moore, acquired in the offseason as a free agent after playing three seasons with the Eagles, had been on the Bears' injured list. He tore a knee ligament in the NFC Championship Game in January.

He will be eligible to return to the team's facilities Sept. 30.

Moore told the Chicago Sun-Times his suspension was the result of a failed drug test taken in February. He said he did not take steroids but he declined to specify what drug the test detected.

"I don't want to make a big deal. We went out one night and had some fun and I tested positive," Moore told the newspaper. "It wasn't cocaine, nothing like that. ... We went out and partied and had what I thought was a good time."

Moore is the second Bears player to be suspended for violating the league's banned substance policy. Fullback Daimon Shelton was suspended last season. He missed the Bears' playoff game in January and must sit out the first three games this season. Shelton said he took an over-the-counter fat burner.