Phoenix Cardinals officials had no comment before Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers about reports that fullback Earl Ferrell tested positive for cocaine three times this year.

The reports were confirmed by Ferrell."I got sidetracked again and it was something that just happened," Ferrell said.

Ferrell, 30, spent 28 days in a drug-rehabilitation program in St. Louis County in late 1985, before NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle enacted the league's substance-abuse policy in 1986.

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In an interview with The Arizona Republic newspaper, Ferrell confirmed that he had tested positive this season but said the problem is behind him.

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