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Deuce McAllister and Will Smith, two star players for the Saints, are among four on the team facing possible disciplinary action. They tested positive for a banned substance, a diuretic that can be used for weight loss, or to hide other banned substances, including steroids.

Bumetanide, in its purest form, is a prescription-only diuretic used to treat various ailments, including heart failure, and lowering blood pressure. It gets rid of fluid in the body.

"Someone might take a fluid pill after a long airplane flight, because they might get a little adema," said Jane Ciolino, a local pharmacist. "So a doctor may give somenoe a diuretic in order to lose the three or four pounds they may retain."

Bumetanide can also mask other drugs, like steroids, and that is why it is on the NFL's list of banned substances, although no one is making that accusation here.

The substance was reportedly flagged in four Saints' drug tests, including McAllister and Smith. The NFL's banned drug list itself, is expansive. Fitness expert Mackie Shilstone says it is for that reason players are so careful about what they take.

"It falls back on the athlete to be responsible, so I have to believe someone gave it to them for approved use," he said.

Shilstone said there are other possibilities and explanations. Bumetanide can appear in trace amounts in over-the-counter medicines. Saints players say it is a problem, and one the NFL should address. 

"You get in that battle of products you can buy at the store and what ingredients are supposedly on the back of the label and what's really in it are two different things," said Campbell. "This is something that needs to be addressed at some point, because you feel you aren't doing anything wrong and it turns out you are."

There are also crossover drugs to contend with in their natural form.

(For example)"Valarian root is hybrid of valium. so you could come in and get valarian root (over the counter)," said Shilstone.

"Think about going out and taking poppy seeds, or a poppy seed bun and going in and testing positive for opium," he said.

Late reports Friday night are also naming Charles Grant as one of the players who failed the NFL's drug testing. A spokesman with the NFL Player's Association said all of those involved are eligible to play this weekend.