NFL: Redskins' Shanahan: 'Wait and see' on Moss, doctor
JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
LEESBURG, Va. — Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is taking a "wait and see" approach to reports that receiver Santana Moss is linked to a Canadian doctor charged with smuggling and supplying human growth hormone.
Shanahan said Thursday that he will speak to Moss "at the right time" about the matter and not been contacted by the league.
"Let's just wait and see before we throw him underneath the bus," Shanahan said after speaking at a local Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
The Buffalo News reported that Moss has received treatment from Galea and is the unidentified Washington player mentioned in an affidavit released after Galea was charged on Tuesday. Galea's assistant said the doctor was planning to meet with the Washington player at a Washington-area hotel last September, according to the affidavit.
"Just because he's been associated with a doctor doesn't mean this person's guilty," Shanahan said.
Shanahan said he's talked to "a couple of people" whose names have been associated previously with Galea.
"A lot of people whose names have been associated, there's no repercussions," the coach said. "So we're getting a little ahead of ourselves right now."
Moss' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return a message seeking comment.
Moss has played five seasons with the Redskins and previous spent four years with the New York Jets. He revealed at minicamp earlier this month that he recently had arthroscopic knee surgery on his left knee to fix a problem that had been bothering him for three years.
"Santana's been out for a while," Shanahan said. "He's been working extremely hard over at the facility. We understand the rules and the guide lines and they're very explicit, so hopefully we do things the right way."
Moss would likely be suspended by the NFL if he is found to have taken human growth hormone or any other banned substance.
"I treat it like a sprained ankle," Shanahan said. "If a player broke their ankle and they're gone for the year, they're gone for the year."