Report: DEA met with 49ers, Bucs regarding painkiller investigation

The Bears weren’t subject to any surprise searches or interviews by the Drug Enforcement Administration on Sunday, but some visiting NFL teams were as part of an ongoing investigation into prescription-drug abuse.

According to the Washington Post, the medical staffs of the San Francisco 49ers (who played the New York Giants in New Jersey) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who visited the Washington Redskins) were among those inspected.

The 49ers and Buccaneers confirmed that they met with DEA officials Sunday. In a Twitter post, the Buccaneers described their interactions with federal drug agents as a five-minute delay. But six teams expected to be inspected, according to the Washington Post report.

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As of late Sunday, it was not known if the Minnesota Vikings, who lost 21-13 against the Bears at Soldier Field, were included in the investigation.

Members of the Vikings media-relations staff did not immediately respond to emails regarding the investigation. The DEA’s local media representative also did not immediately respond to messages.

A Bears team official confirmed that their medical staff was not searched or contacted by the DEA on Sunday.

According to the Washington Post and ESPN, the DEA’s investigation was prompted by a class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in May by more than 1,200 retired NFL players.

The lawsuit claims that team employees illegally distributed various painkillers without prescriptions. Former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon and offensive tackle Keith Van Horne are among the plaintiffs.

Email: ajahns@suntimes.com

Twitter: @adamjahns