Tag: suspension

Jaguars DL Josh Mauro suspended 5 games for PED violation

The Jags defensive line took another blow to their regular season depth Friday, this time due to suspension.

According to an NFL spokesperson, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Josh Mauro has been suspended for five games without pay for a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.

Mauro was signed by the Jaguars on Aug. 11 after recently being with the Oakland Raiders. He has been in the league since 2014, previously spending time with the Arizona Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. Mauro added a veteran presence on the defensive line now currently in the wake of the retirements of Rodney Gunter and Aaron Lynch.

Mauro joined the Jags on a non-guaranteed one-year contract worth $910,000. He will forgo approximately $182,000 of salary for the 2020 season. Mauro will be eligible to practice this preseason and will be eligible to make his return after the Jags’ Week 5 game against the Houston Texans (Oct. 11).

Mauro is the second player on the roster to receive a regular season suspension for PEDs as defensive tackle Carl Davis will have to deal with one, too. His suspension terms will be for four games, making him eligible to return after the Jags’ Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland apologizes for four-game suspension

Breeland confirmed his four-game suspension and apologized to the organization and fans on social media.

Earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kansas City Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland would still be receiving a four-game suspension from the league. Now, Breeland has confirmed his suspension and posted a public apology on Instagram and Twitter, addressed to everyone in the organization, his family and the Chiefs Kingdom. The apology includes a note from Breeland and a portion of one of Breeland’s music videos from his song titled “Never.”

“As previously announced by the League, I have received a 4 game suspension for off-the-field matters.

I post this today because I want to apologize, publicly, to the entire Chiefs organization, my coaches, teammates, family and fans.

I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I look forward to getting back on the field with my teammates to defend our Super Bowl Title.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support, and Let’s Go Chiefs!”

From the sounds of it, Breeland will not be appealing his punishment and will accept the four-game suspension from the league. That means he will officially miss one of the toughest stretches of the season, as the team faces the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots in the first four weeks.

Back in July, Breeland vowed to earn respect and a big contract during the 2020 NFL season. He’s already off to a great start at training camp, but it appears he’ll have to earn those things after missing the first quarter of the season.

[vertical-gallery id=74927]

Report: Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland still facing four-game suspension

No news is either good news or bad news for Bashaud Breeland and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Shortly after Bashaud Breeland’s arrest in South Carolina this offseason, news broke that he was already facing a four-game suspension for a prior violation of the NFL’s policy on substance abuse. Breeland was said to be appealing the suspension by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter sought to remind everyone that Breeland is, in fact, facing a four-game suspension to start the 2020 season. He’s expected to miss games against the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.

So what news is there to add to the previously known information? Not much, other than the fact that he’s still facing a four-game suspension with 23 days to go until the season opener.

It’s unclear if the appeal process for Breeland has already transpired, but the fact that he’s still facing a four-game suspension this close to the first game is concerning. It’s possible that the appeals process is still ongoing.

The new CBA is said to be much more lenient on punishment for positive Marijuana tests, with no suspensions involved. It’s not clear what this specific violation entails, but Breeland was charged in his offseason arrest with the possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams of hash.

Breeland re-signed with Kansas City this offseason on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million. He’s expected to be one of the starting corners in Kansas City this season, and he’s having a great training camp, while also coming off a solid 2019 season.

In 2019, Breeland recorded 48 total tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defended. During Super Bowl LIV, he recorded an interception off of San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garappolo.

[vertical-gallery id=74927]

Seahawks monitoring the ‘complex’ situation with Antonio Brown

The Seahawks are monitoring the eight-game suspension levied on wide receiver Antonio Brown to see if he’d be an eventual fit on the roster.

The Seattle Seahawks always have their feelers on, looking for possible additions to the roster, no matter the trouble the player might have had with his former team.

Seattle signed Josh Gordon last season, and the wide receiver appeared in five games before he was suspended indefinitely for violations of the substance abuse and performance-enhancing drugs policies. The Seahawks would likely welcome him back this year should he be reinstated.

But another wide receiver of interest has now crossed the Seahawks’ radar . . . Antonio Brown, who was just levied with an eight-game suspension to start the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Regardless, Seattle merits him worth taking a look.

“What I’d say to you is what we always say because it’s what we always do and who we are,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters via Zoom on Monday.  “John [Schneider] is competing at every turn. There’s never been a process, unless we just missed it, that we weren’t involved with to understand what the chances were of helping our club. He’s all over it. He understands what’s going on right now, as much as you can. It’s a very complex situation. We just need to see where it fits somewhere down the road. That’s all I got for you.”

With both wide receivers’ suspensions pending, Seattle has plenty of time to wait and see before signing either player to the roster.

[lawrence-related id=65913]

Antonio Brown says he looks “forward to new beginnings” after NFL announces 8 game suspension

Brown isn’t appealing the NFL’s decision.

If Antonio Brown wasn’t untouchable as a free agent before for NFL teams, he almost certainly is now.

On Friday, the NFL announced the former Steelers wide receiver would be suspended for eight games as a result of a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Along with his suspension, the NFL is directing Brown to continue getting counseling and treatment.

The league had been investigating Brown after an artist who did work at his home accused him of sexual misconduct last year stemming from an incident she says occurred when she worked there in 2017.

He also pleaded no contest in June to a felony burglary with battery charge related to an incident in January with a moving truck company at his house in Florida.

Things were spiraling for Brown. This seems to be just another layer to it. This time, though, he doesn’t appear to be lashing out or appealing the NFL’s decision.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Brown said he’s ready for new beginnings.

It’ll take a while for that new beginning to start, it seems. At least if it involves being in the NFL.

[jwplayer ozpeFbYe-q2aasYxh]

Jayron Kearse suspended 3 games by the NFL

Lions safety Jayron Kearse suspended for the first 3 games without pay

Detroit Lions safety Jayron Kearse has been suspended for the first three games of the 2020 NFL season. He violated the league’s substance abuse policy.

Kearse signed with Detroit this offseason after spending the first few years of his NFL career with the rival Minnesota Vikings. He is expected to compete for Tavon Wilson’s old role in the defense as well as on special teams.

The suspension is without pay, per an NFL media release. Kearse will be eligible to participate in training camp but will be out from the end of camp until after Detroit’s Week 3 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL suspends wide receiver Antonio Brown for 8 games

Free-agent, wide receiver Antonio Brown has been suspended by the NFL for the first eight games of the 2020 season.

As was expected for several months now, embattled free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown has been officially suspended by the NFL.

First reported by the Washington Post’s Robert Klemko, the league handed Brown a lofty eight-game suspension due to violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Brown had recently pleaded no contest to battery charges against a truck driver in Florida, which landed him a lengthy probation sentence.

Now the league has weighed in with its own judgment on the matter.

Unfortunately for Brown, this may not be the end of discipline from the NFL. The legal buck doesn’t stop with the battery charges, as Brown still faces a sexual misconduct lawsuit.

 

This very well could be the final nail in the coffin of what was a Hall of Fame-caliber career for Brown. A free agent since last September, Brown was linked to Seattle as a potential landing spot and was even seen working out with quarterback Russell Wilson. Now that he is suspended, any chatter about him coming to Seattle will likely be put to bed for good.

With his legal issues, volatile personality, and now a suspension that will likely last at least half the 2020 season, Brown is far too toxic for any team to sign. If he is signed, it will be by a desperate team late in the year.

Of course, none of this might even matter for Brown as he apparently retired from the league . . . for a second time. Although, given his recent track record, it’s hard to say for certain if he will want to stay that way.

[lawrence-related id=65800]

Free agent Josh Gordon applied for reinstatement on Wednesday

Free agent receiver Josh Gordon is applying for reinstatement following last year’s suspension, and he could be a target for the Seahawks.

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon officially submitted a letter on Wednesday to apply for reinstatement by the NFL, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

After four games with the Seahawks in 2019, Gordon was issued a six-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance and a masking agent.

Gordon has remained in Seattle since his suspension, and made his desire clear to play with the Seahawks once again in 2020.

The veteran wideout hauled in seven receptions for 139 yards in five games with Seattle last year, serving primarily as a possession receiver in third down situations.

The NFL did alter the CBA to no longer suspend players who test positive for marijuana, but they did not automatically reinstate anyone currently serving a suspension, and Gordon’s also involved performance enhancing drugs, which could complicate his reinstatement.

While Gordon would have to miss the first two games of the regular season, he would make an ideal No. 3 receiver for Russell Wilson and company, pushing former teammate Phillip Dorsett into the No. 4 role and giving Seattle one of the deeper wide receiver groups they’ve had in recent memory.

[lawrence-related id=64340]

James Hurst may be the Terron Armstead backup the Saints have needed

The New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with Ravens free agent James Hurst, who may have the skills to back up LT Terron Armstead.

[jwplayer 1kGwt3gt-ThvAeFxT]

Terron Armstead has all the talent in the world, and he’s so close to putting it all together. Armstead earned recognition as a Pro Bowler in each of the last two years, along with second-team All-Pro status in 2018. But he still hasn’t strung together 16 healthy games in a single season. The 28-year-old came close in 2019 (starting all 15 games he played), but a late-season high-ankle sprain tripped him up. It was the first time he’d appeared in more than 10 games since 2015.

Great as he’s been when healthy, the Saints haven’t really come up with even a short-term solution for when Armstead is out. Their go-to answer has been to slide starting left guard Andrus Peat over to tackle, his college position, calling up a backup like Senio Kelmete or Nick Easton in Peat’s place.

When Armstead missed last year’s Thanksgiving Day game with the Atlanta Falcons — when Peat was also out with an injury — the Saints were forced to put career guard Patrick Omameh at left tackle. Thankfully, Omameh was up to the occasion, and the Falcons defensive line wasn’t talented enough to take advantage of the mismatch.

One injury shouldn’t affect two positions like this, and it looks like the Saints might have finally taken action against it. That’s where former Baltimore Ravens backup James Hurst steps in. Even though he’s suspended the first four weeks with a performance-enhancing substances violation, he might be the best option the Saints have for the next twelve weeks and the playoffs.

Hurst has the pedigree to give the Saints confidence that he can hold down the left tackle spot, whether in a pinch or for a couple of weeks. He’s started nearly as many games at left tackle (16) as at left guard (19) in the NFL, and has a background lining up out on the edge with 48 starts in that alignment at North Carolina. He earned All-ACC honors three years in college, twice making the conference’s first-team list. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, with 33 3/4-inch arms, he fits the prototype teams look for.

Now, sure: the Ravens valued his versatility enough to move him all over the line, and the Saints should, too. If Hurst doesn’t cut the mustard in training camp at left tackle, he could try out as a backup at other spots much like Easton did last year. Initially signed as a center, the Saints quickly moved Easton to guard full-time after comparing him against then-rookie Erik McCoy, and reserves like Cameron Tom and Will Clapp.

But you have to like Hurst’s chances. The fact that he has started nearly a full season at left tackle in the NFL already (totaling more than 3,200 snaps in his career, at different spots) is significant. And he’s clearly the most qualified of his competition, which includes Omameh, second-year pros like Ethan Greenidge, Derrick Kelly, and a few undrafted rookies in Utah’s Darrin Paulo and Oregon’s Calvin Throckmorton. This is a roster battle Hurst should win.

In a year with such high stakes and maybe Drew Brees’ last shot at a second Super Bowl on the line, the Saints can’t afford any chances. Adding Hurst now gives them greater insurance in case injuries hit the starting lineup again. And his veteran presence should be helpful once training camp gets here, considering the shortened offseason. Hopefully things shake out so that he’ll be in position to help the team when they call his number.

[lawrence-related id=35012]

[vertical-gallery id=35019]

Saints agree to terms with longtime Ravens OL James Hurst

The New Orleans Saints agreed to terms on a one-year free agent contract with veteran Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman James Hurst.

The New Orelans Saints agreed to terms on a free agent contract with former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman James Hurst, as first announced by his agent Jack Bechta. ESPN’s Field Yates reported that it’s a one-year deal between Hurst and the Saints, though pens haven’t yet been put to paper.

It’s a big addition for New Orleans, even if Hurst will serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy. The 28-year-old has started 44 games for the Ravens going back to 2014, predominately at left guard (19 starts) and left tackle (16). Pushed down to a backup role in 2019, he filled in at a few different spots over the course of the season while also lining up as a tight end in jumbo sets.

Per the terms of his suspension, Hurst will be allowed to participate in the Saints offseason program (though he likely won’t do much until the team meets for training camp later this summer) but must step away from the team until the Monday after their fourth game — meaning he won’t be eligible until their Week 5 home game with the Los Angeles Chargers, just before their bye week. But first, he has to make the squad. Stay tuned for a corresponding move once this signing becomes official.

[lawrence-related id=33961,33954]

[vertical-gallery id=33929]