Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander has been suspended for the third time in the last two years, and his latest violation will cost him a full 12 months. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the NFL has suspended Alexander for one year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy again. It’s the second suspension this week for Carolina, as the team also saw DE Wes Horton get hit with a four-game ban.
It’s been a rough couple years for Alexander, who was banned four games last year for his first substance abuse violation, then almost immediately received a 10-game suspension upon returning to the team. While his 2014 season was ruined by those suspensions, his 2015 season came to an early end due to a torn Achilles, which he suffered during the preseason.
Alexander, who played 29 regular season contests for the Panthers from 2012 to 2014, has likely played his last game for the club. The former fourth-round pick will be eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, but considering he’ll be coming off a major injury, has only played one game since 2013, and won’t be reinstated before next November, there’s no real reason for Carolina to want to bring him back.