New Orleans Saints veterans Deuce McAllister and Will Smith reportedly are among several players who have violated the NFL steroids policy.

Fox 31 television in Denver, citing an unnamed source, reported Friday there are between six and 10 positive tests in the NFL for a weight-loss diuretic. The only names the station mentioned were the two Saints, who are in London for Sunday's game with the San Diego Chargers.

ESPN.com, citing two unnamed sources, reported the number is more than 10 and may exceed 15.

The NFL would not comment on the reports, but attorney David Cornwell told The Associated Press he has been hired to handle the appeals of a number of players who are facing possible suspensions.

Cornwell declined to identify any of his clients or say how many there were.

"These men are entitled to confidentiality and entitled to go through appeal process, so the (Fox 31) report ... is completely unfair," Cornwell said. "The cornerstone of any workplace testing program, especially one in professional sports with high-profile people, is confidentiality."

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel, who was with the team in London, said drug testing is a league matter and the team would have no immediate comment.

Phone messages left with defensive end Smith's agent, Joel Segal, and running back McAllster's agent, Jim Steiner, were not returned.

According to the NFL's policy, the first positive test results in a four-game suspension.

In August, Jets running back Jesse Chatman was suspended for four games for violating the league's drug policy. He said he tested for a diuretic — "something I never even heard of" — that could be used as a masking agent.

When used as a masking agent a diuretic dilutes the urine, which results in lower levels of the banned substance being excreted from the body. That can make it more difficult to detect banned substances.

The Fox 31 report said three or four of the positive tests belonged to the Saints, and that McAllister and Smith tested positive for Bumetanide.

A "water pill," Bumetanide decreases the amount of water retained in the body by increasing urination. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.