Buccaneers defensive tackle Akeem Spence has been notified that he’s facing a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substance of abuse, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It’s not 100% clear, based on Rapoport’s tweet, if Spence can still appeal the penalty, but assuming he’s been notified of the suspension by the league, it sounds like the appeal process has already been completed.
Spence, 23, has been a regular contributor on the Buccaneers’ defensive line since being selected by the team in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. In his two seasons with the club, he has started 19 of 32 contests, recording 68 overall tackles, four sacks, and three fumble recoveries. Spence, who remains on Tampa Bay’s PUP list, underwent back surgery earlier in the summer, and had already been expected to miss the first few weeks of the 2015 regular season.
When he does get healthy and is ready to return to the Bucs’ active roster, Spence will have to serve his one-game suspension as a result of a 2014 arrest on a marijuana charge. The incident, which took place way back in January of 2014, was the result of a traffic stop in Flomaton, Alabama.