NFL HGH Testing: Players' Arms Remain Safe as League and Union Continue Debate

The NFL will never have the steroid problems the MLB has dealt with, but it wants to avoid anything close to it when it comes to HGH.

These week was supposed to be the time the league implemented its new HGH testing policy on players, but apparently, that isn't the case anymore.

According to a blog post from CBS Sports' Mike Freeman:

"

The union released a statement saying the following: "We informed the NFL yesterday that absent a collective agreement on several critical issues, blood collection is not ready to be implemented on Monday. We have advised the players."

Translation: No needles in our players' arms. Not yet.

"

Freeman also goes on to talk about the complexity of the situation, indicating that the two sides are at odds on how exactly to go about it.

The Washington Post got more in-depth with the situation.

Mark Maske writes:

"

Union representatives said Friday they would agree to allow the testing program to begin only after they are satisfied that the HGH testing is reliable and safe.

The league and union agreed as part of their 10-year labor deal completed in August to begin testing players for HGH. 

"

There will be blood testing for HGH, but it just isn't ready yet.

This will be a good thing for the NFL when it finally comes around.

Obviously, both sides agree on that considering they agreed to test for it, but the union still wants to make sure the testing is safe for its players.

An AP report from Barry Wilner also highlighted the one major thing the union is looking for:

"

One of the key items the NFLPA is seeking is a population study of the test — the data from the athletes who were used to originally set thresholds as to what constitutes a positive test. The union wants to compare that data to a population study on football players; the union believes players could have naturally higher HGH levels above those of other athletes. 

"

This is a major point of emphasis and could be the most important hurdle to clear.

Expect more on this in the coming days.