Some of the NFL players linked to a South Carolina doctor indicted on federal charges for giving them steroids will be subject to as many as 24 random drug tests each year, The Washington Post reported Friday. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue told the paper that the league concluded an investigation into reports about prescriptions written by James M. Shortt, who was charged last week with 29 counts of distributing steroids and human growth hormones, as well as a conspiracy charge. The players involved, most of them reportedly current or former members of the Carolina Panthers, will be subject to up to two dozen random steroids tests annually, the newspaper reported. "Every player who was part of the investigation who's still in the league is being tested up to 24 times a year, which is the most important element of putting an end to this," Tagliabue told the newspaper. "That's why we have not had repeat offenders. That's as important or more important than the discipline. It's testing people up to 24 times a year on a random basis."

Dr. James M. Shortt was charged with 29 counts of distributing steroids and human growth hormones as well as a conspiracy charge, U.S. Attorney Johnny Gasser said Wednesday. The people receiving the drugs include at least three Carolina Panthers players, some bodybuilders and at least one cop. The indictment said the conspiracy began in 1998 and the prescriptions, which included testosterone, nandrolone and stanozolol, occurred from February 2001 to June 2004. "Shortt knowingly and intentionally did conspire with others ... to knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully possess with intent to distribute and dispense" the illegal steroids, according to the indictment.

A doctor who was accused in a television report of writing illegal steroid prescriptions for three former Carolina Panthers players has been indicted on federal charges. James M. Shortt was charged with 29 counts of distributing steroids and human growth hormones as well as a conspiracy charge, U.S. Attorney Johnny Gasser said Wednesday. The indictment did not specify who received the drugs. But a person familiar with the indictment said they were current and former members of the Carolina Panthers, bodybuilders and at least one police officer. The source spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, and did not name players. A CBS News report in March identified center Jeff Mitchell, tackle Todd Steussie and punter Todd Sauerbrun as having filled steroid prescriptions written by Shortt. Several other former Panthers have also been named as Shortt's patients in subsequent media reports.

Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins has a torn ACL in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season, coach John Fox announced in his news conference Monday. Jenkins hurt his right knee during Sunday's game against New Orleans, an injury which twice forced him from the game. Jenkins was injured when he broke through the line and tried to tackle Deuce McAllister in the backfield in the first quarter. He managed to get only an arm on McAllister before falling to the ground with 6:34 left in the period. Jenkins was helped off the field, and eventually walked to the locker room at the end of the quarter. He returned to the lineup to start the second half, but again went down and had to be helped from the field midway through the third period. He did not return. Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, played only the first four games last year before being sidelined with a left shoulder injury.

It will not bring back what was lost, but the Saints delivered all they could for their city by defeating the Carolina Panthers by a final score of 23-20 in their opener. John Carney kicked a 47-yard field goal with :03 seconds remaining to break a 20-20 tie. Deuce McAllister scored two touchdowns to go along with Carney's three field goals. The Saints had a home game schedule for next Sunday, but that contest will be moved to New York, where they will play the Giants on Monday night.

Stephen Davis' contract has been restructured to protect the team should he end up injured again, the Charlotte Observer reported. In exchange for incentives, Davis will make about $300,000 less in base salary -- $2.2 million -- as long as he remains healthy. His salary would be $1.25 million if he goes on injured reserve. Overall, his cap hit drops to $2.9 million from $3.1 million with the new deal, the paper reported. He's under contract through 2007.