New York ? The NFL is seeking to upgrade its steroid-testing program to bring it back in line with Olympic standards.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday that the move, which would require approval by the NFL Players Assn., was not related to a CBS News report involving Carolina players and steroids.

The network was to report on “60 Minutes Wednesday” that Panthers players Todd Sauerbrun and Jeff Mitchell, and former player Todd Steussie, had steroid prescriptions filled by a South Carolina doctor now under investigation by federal authorities.

The NFL’s move, which applies to testosterone levels in steroid tests, also comes at a time when steroid use in baseball has come under Congressional scrutiny.

“We have always adhered to the standard set by the International Olympic Committee,” Aiello said.

Gene Upshaw, the union’s executive director, has been a staunch advocate of more stringent steroid testing.

For the last 15 years, the NFL has had one of the toughest steroid-testing programs in sports, with random testing and suspensions for a first-time failure. Over that period, there have been 44 suspensions.