updated 4:24 p.m. ET Oct. 31, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud practiced as usual Wednesday despite uncertainty about his future.

A newspaper and a radio station reported that Stroud is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s steroids and related substances policy. The Florida Times-Union and WJXL-AM in Jacksonville, citing anonymous sources, said Stroud tested positive for banned supplements.

According to the Times-Union, Stroud’s ’A’ sample came back positive last week. The paper said he exercised his right to have his ’B’ sample tested Monday.

Stroud, a three-time Pro Bowl tackle who has 29 tackles and three sacks this season, declined to address the reports Wednesday, but said he expects to play at New Orleans.

“I’ll be there Sunday,” Stroud said. “I’m not here to squash rumors. I’m here to play ball. Whatever happens will happen. But right now, I’m going to focus on New Orleans. I have no comment on anything else.”

Stroud missed five games last season because of an ankle injury and then had micro-fracture surgery early this year. Once considered cutting-edge, the operation — which creates small holes around the bone in hopes of stimulating new cartilage growth — has become much more common in recent years.

It was unclear whether Stroud’s reported positive test had anything to do with his rehabilitation regimen.

The NFL does not comment on any matter involving its confidential drug policy.

Coach Jack Del Rio also declined comment.

“There’s really nothing I can do to address the swirling rumors and stories,” Del Rio said. “There will be an appropriate time for all that.”

The Jaguars might have been anticipating a suspension because they signed former Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jackson to a one-year contract Wednesday. The 6-foot-2, 350-pound run-stopper led the league with 13 tackles for a loss last season. He started the first seven games for the Falcons before his surprising release last week, a move teammate DeAngelo Hall publicly criticized.

Jackson had 21 tackles, including 5 1/2 for losses, and one sack with Atlanta this year. He said there were seven or eight teams interested in signing him, but he chose the Jaguars because of their defense.

“I like the style of defense they play, the one-gap scheme, and how aggressive they are and a couple of coaches I know on the staff,” Jackson said, adding he played under linebackers coach Mark Duffner in Green Bay and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis in Atlanta.

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Jacksonville also placed defensive tackle Tony McDaniel on injured reserve Wednesday with a broken wrist.

Losing Stroud would be more troubling.

“Marcus has been very active, a big strong defensive tackle for us for several years,” Del Rio said. “Last year, he battled through the injuries and this year he spent the offseason really dedicating himself to coming back and being strong. He’s battled and you can see the guy’s done all he can to be there for his teammates.

“There aren’t many guys that are 310 pounds and can run the way he can run and make plays sideline to sideline.”

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