Tag: suspension

Ravens excuse Diontae Johnson from team activities for Steelers game

Diontae Johnson’s struggles with the Baltimore Ravens continue as the team excuses him from activities ahead of a crucial Steelers matchup.

It appears the Baltimore Ravens are nearing a conclusion to the ‘trouble in paradise’ they have found themselves in with former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson.

Since arriving in Baltimore via trade from the Carolina Panthers, who had previously acquired Johnson in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, the wide receiver has done close to nothing as a Raven.

Since his arrival, Johnson has caught one pass for six yards, taken to social media to air behind-the-scenes frustrations, and was suspended for the team’s Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants.

Little has improved for Johnson, as the John Harbaugh-led Ravens announced on Monday, December 16, 2024, that the former Steelers wide receiver would be excused from team activities for the week—a week that includes the pivotal AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Is the fear of the receiver-hungry Pittsburgh Steelers reacquiring Johnson’s talents preventing the Baltimore Ravens from releasing him? Only time will tell, but a reunion with the Steel City could be on the horizon.

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Veteran Saints safety suspended three games for violating substance abuse policy

Veteran New Orleans Saints safety Roderic Teamer has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy:

Veteran New Orleans Saints safety Roderic Teamer has been suspended three games without pay for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy, the league announced Wednesday. Teamer was on the Saints practice squad and is eligible to be reinstated on Dec. 24, after their Week 16 game with the Green Bay Packers.

Teamer had only played on special teams in a couple of games earlier this season, but the Saints’ depth at safety had been questioned after a shoulder injury sidelined Tyrann Mathieu during Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Mathieu is expected to play in their upcoming game with the New York Giants but Teamer’s absence creates one less option to replace him if there’s a setback.

For now, the safeties on the 53-man roster include Mathieu, Will Harris, J.T. Gray, and Jordan Howden. Ugo Amadi has primarily manned the slot since Alontae Taylor moved outside at cornerback but he has experience working over the top, too.

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Steelers’ CB officially reinstated after 8-game suspension

Steelers’ CB Cameron Sutton has officially been reinstated after serving an 8-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy.

Some much needed assistance to an already impressive Steelers’ secondary has arrived.  CB Cameron Sutton, who rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers back in June 5th, 2024, has been officially reinstated after serving an eight-game suspension to start the season.

Sutton’s suspension was a result of violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. His play for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2016 to 2022 was immaculate, to say the least.  He would ultimately price himself out of the Steel City, signing with the Detroit Lions in the 2023 offseason. The Lions had initially released Sutton as a result of his violation, and Steelers gave their former CB a second-chance to play in the league again.

How will Sutton’s return impact the already great Steelers’ 2024 defense?  Given how amazing rookie slot corner Beanie Bishop Jr. has been to start the season, how will HC Mike Tomlin handle starting responsibilities?  Sutton’s natural position lies in the slot, and this could present another positional battle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Cowboys DE to serve 3-game suspension while on injured reserve

From @ToddBrock24f7: Sam Williams was arrested in August 2023 on marijuana and weapons charges. He’ll forfeit game checks for Weeks 8 through 10 of this season.

The NFL is adding insult- and a costly punishment- to injury for Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams.

Williams has been suspended three games without pay for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, according to a Monday announcement made by the Cowboys. Williams was already on injured reserve with an ACL and MCL tear suffered during training camp and will not play at all this season.

The suspension went into effect prior to Sunday night’s game versus the 49ers; the former second-round draft pick out of Mississippi will also miss game checks for Week 9’s game in Atlanta and Week 10’s home meeting with the Eagles. He will be eligible for official reinstatement following the Philadelphia game.

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The suspension follows a lengthy investigation for August 2023 charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Williams, now 25, was arrested less than three weeks before the regular season opener but was nevertheless able to appear in all 18 of the team’s games (including playoffs) last year.

Williams will lose a total of $211,807 in salary as a result of the suspension but will not have to miss any games once he returns from his injury.

Next year will be Williams’s fourth season with the Cowboys.

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NFL hands down opposite verdicts for ex-Broncos Von Miller and Brandon McManus

The NFL will not suspend Brandon McManus after he was accused of sexual assault. Von Miller, meanwhile, has received a four-game suspension.

One day after former Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus avoided a possible suspension, ex-Denver pass rusher Von Miller received a suspension.

The NFL investigated an incident that led to a pair of flight attendants suing McManus, accusing him of sexual assault during a Jacksonville Jaguars flight to London in 2023. The league determined that McManus will not be suspended.

“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that a violation of the personal conduct policy occurred. As always, if new evidence is presented it would be taken into consideration,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

McManus remains a free agent.

One day later, the NFL handed down a four-game suspension to Miller for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. That suspension seemingly resulted in response to Miller being accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in November 2023. Miller’s accuser later said there was no assault.

Miller will be eligible to play for the Buffalo Bills again in Week 9.

Miller and McManus were teammates with the Broncos from 2014-2021, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

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NFL suspends Chargers defensive back before Week 4 game vs. Chiefs

NFL suspends Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. before Week 4 game vs. Kansas City Chiefs | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a clutch victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, will turn their attention to an AFC West matchup this weekend. The Los Angeles Chargers will be without a top player on defense following an NFL disciplinary ruling.

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. has been suspended without pay for one game for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players. The league offices released a press release focusing on this past Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In a letter to James, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan detailed that the suspension is for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 10 (a), which states that “it is a foul if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.” He noted that James has had multiple offenses for personal fouls in recent seasons.

“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” said Runyan in the letter. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent, and the illegal contact could have been avoided.”

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“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated,” said Runyan. “Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

The Chargers star will be eligible to return to the active roster on Monday, September 30th, after the Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs.

Michael Thomas served his suspension. But will he sign with a new team?

Michael Thomas served his one-week suspension. But will he sign with a new team now that it’s behind him?

Let’s start with the good news for Michael Thomas. The former New Orleans Saints wide receiver served his one-week NFL suspension stemming from an altercation with a construction worker near his home last year, and he’s now available to sign with a new team.

Now the bad news: Thomas doesn’t appear to be any closer to finding a new team to play for than when the Saints released him back in March. That’s not to say he doesn’t have options or that there won’t be suitors calling his agent in the days and weeks ahead. But a one-game suspension probably wasn’t going to keep anyone from signing him when so many teams are churning through wide receivers right now.

Look at the Cleveland Browns. There’s an obvious connection there with Jameis Winston backing up Deshaun Watson. Thomas was one of Winston’s strongest supporters when they were teammates in New Orleans. Cleveland just signed Kadarius Toney to their practice squad after a couple of other teams kicked the tires on him and didn’t find anything there.

The Buffalo Bills are another option. They have former Saints coaches on staff who also know Thomas well like offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry, who worked with the receivers in New Orleans. Buffalo has Super Bowl ambitions but rookie draft pick Keon Coleman led the team with just 51 receiving yards in their season opener. Thomas has averaged 53 yards per game over the last three seasons he’s played.

Thomas isn’t the same player now who broke (and still holds) the NFL record for the most receptions in a single season, who won all those awards and made all those plays. But he can still help a team in the right role. Finding that fit is going to be tricky. Beyond the football concerns, teams are going to be wary of someone with his injury history and who criticized his coach and teammates on social media. That sort of thing is popular with fans who share his opinions, but it’s a turnoff for teams looking for low-profile signings to fill out their practice squads.

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Eyioma Uwazurike gets second chance with Broncos after returning from suspension

With his gambling suspension over, Eyioma Uwazurike made the 53-man roster. “He’s learned from it,” Sean Payton said. “He’s moved forward.”

The NFL placed an indefinite suspension on Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike on July 24, 2023, after he violated the league’s gambling policy.

After sitting out his entire second season in the NFL, Uwazurike had his suspension lifted on August 5, 2024. Despite being out of football for more than a year, Uwazurike was welcomed back by coach Sean Payton.

“‘Enyi’ has taken full responsibility for his actions,” Payton said last week. “I feel like he’s learned from it. He’s moved forward, he’s shown remorse and been accountable. Since he showed up here, he showed up in shape. He’s only been here for three weeks. He’s not quite there — he’s rusty, but he’s big, he’s athletic, he’s talented and he plays hard.

“We thought the talent was too much [to waive him]. We love the kid. [He’s] a really good kid who made a mistake. We weren’t able to see him for a year, so when he showed up and he looked like he did, we thought that was really positive that he had been keeping himself in shape. We’re glad he’s here. He’s going to help us.”

Uwazurike made the team’s 53-man roster and while it might take a few weeks to get his legs under him, he should be ready to contribute later this season. Uwazurike dressed for eight games as a rookie in 2022, totaling 17 tackles and two quarterback hits. He’ll look to build on those totals in 2024.

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NFL spokesperson believes Chiefs Rashee Rice will avoid Commissioner’s Exempt List

NFL spokesperson believes #Chiefs Rashee Rice will avoid Commissioner’s Exempt List | @EdEastonJr

Rashee Rice should be available for the Kansas City Chiefs when they open the season next Thursday.

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy addressed the status of Rice during Thursday’s league conference call with reporters.

“We don’t anticipate he’ll be placed on (the) commissioner’s exempt (list) unless there is a material change in the case,” said McCarthy, dismissing any potential snags in Rice being available to start the season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have made it standard practice to wait until after a legal case has been completed before handing down suspensions. Rice admits that his involvement in the multi-vehicle crash in Dallas earlier in the spring will likely result in a suspension at some point next season.

Rice is still facing eight charges for his involvement in the crash along the Dallas Central Expressway. So, the legal investigations will be ongoing while he’s on the field, but for the immediate future, the Chiefs will have last season’s top receiver. During the 2023 season, Rice finished with 16 games played, eight games started, 79 receptions for 938 yards, and seven touchdowns.

NFL summarizes gambling policy with ‘six main rules’ for players

The NFL has “six main rules” to help players stay within the league’s gambling policy.

After the NFL handed down an indefinite suspension to Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike last summer, coach Sean Payton blasted the (lack of) clarity in the league’s gambling policy.

“[T]hat eight-page handout we received [from the NFL] was more confusing after I read it than it was before I looked at it,” Payton said in 2023.

Perhaps the NFL’s new language will be an improvement. Last week, the league announced their summary of “six main rules” for players ahead of the 2024 season. Here they are:

  • NEVER bet on the NFL: Includes other NFL events such as Draft, Combine, Pro Bowl, & NFL Honors
  • Don’t have someone bet for you: Do not ask family, friends, or others to place a bet for you
  • Don’t gamble (no bets on sports, casino or card games) at your team facility/stadium, while traveling for a road game, or staying at a team hotel.
  • Don’t share team ‘inside information’: Don’t share information that hasn’t been announced by team.
  • Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season.
  • Don’t play daily fantasy football.

There’s an even stricter policy for non-players in the NFL: “Additional Rule Applicable ONLY to Coaches, Staff, and Personnel – Do NOT Bet on Any Sports!”

The league also announced that in-person gambling policy education and training will be mandatory for all players in 2024.

Uwazurike was suspended last year after he gambled on NFL games, including Broncos games. His suspension was lifted earlier this month. With the league’s gambling policy now clarified, players shouldn’t have any excuses going forward.

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