3:35pm: Colts wideout LaVon Brazill has also been suspended and will be facing an even lengthier ban, according to Rapoport, who tweets that Brazill has been suspeneded for at least a year without pay for violating the league’s substances of abuse policy.
3:14pm: Two more NFL players will face four-game suspensions during the 2014 season for breaking league rules, according to multiple reports. Per James Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan has been suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that Chiefs offensive lineman Rokevious Watkins faces a suspension for a violation of the league’s policy on substances of abuse.
Jordan represents the more significant loss for his team, as last year’s third overall pick looked poised to compete for a larger role on defense in training camp this season. It’s the second sizable blow sustained by the Dolphins recently, as Miami is also expected to be without a key piece of its offensive line to start the regular season, after Mike Pouncey underwent hip surgery. According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter), Jordan admitted in a statement that he tested positive for “stimulants” and says he’s “very sorry” about the impact the suspension will have on the team.
As for Watkins, he started one game for the Chiefs last season and may have been competing for an increased role this year, due to a free agent exodus of key offensive linemen. However, now that he won’t be available for the first month of the season, Watkins isn’t necessarily a lock to make Kansas City’s 53-man roster. The Chiefs would be on the hook for just $60K in dead money if they were to cut him.
Both players will forfeit four games worth of salary due to their suspensions.