Parramatta Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr remains available to the club after reportedly testing positive for cocaine in a roadside drug test, but no immediate disciplinary action has been taken due to his current leave status. The 31-year-old athlete was stopped by police around 11:10 a.m. on Friday in Newtown, in Sydney’s inner west, where a preliminary oral fluid test indicated the presence of the substance.

Following the initial positive result, police collected a secondary oral fluid sample, the analysis of which is pending. Neither Parramatta nor the National Rugby League (NRL) Integrity Unit will proceed with any sanctions until the confirmatory test results are received, a process that may take up to six weeks. This timeline potentially allows the matter to be resolved before Addo-Carr is due to return for the off-season training in November.

Addo-Carr has not participated in club training since Parramatta’s season ended on September 6, following a Round 27 loss to St George Illawarra. He is currently on annual leave, which means he cannot be suspended or stood down while not actively engaged with the team. Both the club and the NRL Integrity Unit are coordinating with law enforcement authorities as the investigation unfolds.

The winger, who has scored 19 tries in 22 appearances for Parramatta this season, still has one year remaining on his two-year contract. He joined Parramatta after being released by Canterbury last year following a similar incident in October 2024, when he also tested positive for cocaine. At that time, Addo-Carr denied drug use, though subsequent tests confirmed the presence of the substance.

The NRL’s Illicit and Hazardous Drugs policy allows for a suspension of up to 12 matches for a second doping offense, which presents a significant challenge for the Eels. There is speculation that the incident could also render Addo-Carr ineligible for selection in Australia’s squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

An NRL spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that the Integrity Unit is actively managing the situation in collaboration with Parramatta. As of now, club sources emphasize that it is premature to speculate on any potential termination of Addo-Carr’s contract.

Parramatta, who have not secured a premiership title in four decades, face an uncertain prospect as they navigate the implications of the allegations surrounding one of their key players.