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"&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Josh Freeman is reportedly a participant in stage one of the NFL's drug program. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recently benched Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman is\u00A0stage one participant in the NFL's drug program. But he is not one strike away from suspension despite being subject to random testing,\u00A0ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Monday.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From Mortensen's report:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Freeman has obtained a temporary use exemption for a prescription drug that normally would be on the banned list, the sources said. [...]&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Freeman has not had any incidents that have placed him in jeopardy of suspension, such as a positive test of a banned street-drug substance, sources said. Thus, Freeman is in relatively good standing under the program, sources added.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a statement to Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo, Freeman said he has an exemption to treat ADHD. He added that he voluntarily entered the program.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mortensen reported that the\u00A0stage one designation doesn't necessarily mean Freeman has tested positive for a banned substance. He could be a stage one participant for a number of reasons, including behavioral causes. A medical director determines the length of participation in the program.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The news comes a day after Freeman was benched by Bucs head coach Greg Schiano and reportedly forced by the Bucs to watch the team's loss to the Arizona Cardinals from a suite.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Schiano said the decision to bench Freeman and have him watch from a suite was \u201Cmutual.\u201D Freeman\u2019s agent\u00A0told\u00A0The Tampa Bay Times\u2019 \u00A0Rick Stroud that Schiano\u2019s statement was a \u201Clie, obviously,\u201D and that Freeman was banished from the team\u2019s sidelines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The back-and-forth between Schiano and Freeman\u2019s agent comes as Freeman is said to be demanding either a trade or release in what has led to intense drama in Schiano\u2019s second season as Tampa Bay's head coach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a statement to @FOXSports1, Josh Freeman says he has an exemption to take Adderall for ADHD. Also says he voluntarily entered the program&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;\u2014 Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 1, 2013&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Freeman says he's passed 46 drug tests issues to him by the NFL since entering the program. Full story coming.\n\u2014 Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 1, 2013&lt;/p&gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.si.com/si-wire/2013/10/01/josh-freeman-nfl-drug-program-benched-buccaneers-greg-schiano>