Tag: suspension

With Alaric Jackson suspended, Rams OL depth will be tested again

Alaric Jackson has been suspended two games, which will test the Rams’ OL depth

The Rams will start their 2024 campaign without starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, as the fourth-year man has been suspended for the first two games of the regular season.

In a year where the Rams’ offensive line was poised for a breakout season, losing a vital piece of the line has the potential to loom large against both the Lions and the Cardinals to open up the season. With the current Rams depth chart, it’s fair to assume Joe Noteboom will be the man at left tackle to start the season.

The performance of the backup offensive line has been impressive thus far in the preseason and, with a veteran like Joe Noteboom, the Rams should be able to stay afloat while Jackson serves his suspension. Noteboom notably stepped in for Andrew Whitworth during the latter part of the 2021 Super Bowl-winning season, playing well in his three starts on the year. Noteboom did, however, take a step back following a contract extension, eventually dealing with injuries that led to Jackson getting his shot at the left tackle spot.

Noteboom bounced back in 2023, getting eight starts on the line and proceeded to play well in those starts he was granted. Noteboom has proven he is capable of being a solid spot starter for the team but if the Rams staff feels there are better options on the squad, Warren McClendon or A.J. Arcuri could be options, as well.

The Rams season opener in Detroit is just over two weeks away, and any more hits to an offensive line that has dealt with injuries throughout training camp could truly test just how deep the 2024 Rams group really is.

Rams starting LT will be suspended for Week 1 matchup with the Lions

Rams starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is suspended for the first two games, so he won’t play in Detroit in Week 1

There’s still one more preseason game to get through for the Detroit Lions, but the look ahead to Week 1 is looking a little better now. When the Lions host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, the Rams will be without their starting left tackle.

The NFL has suspended Rams tackle Alaric Jackson for the first two games of the season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jackson got hit with the suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Rams backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo was also suspended for the same two-game period. No immediate details on what portion of the policy they violated are available.

Jackson has been injured this summer, but he was projected to be the Rams’ Week 1 starting left tackle. Now, Los Angeles will swing to Joe Noteboom in that spot.

 

Iowa head coach, former Wisconsin assistant suspended for recruiting violation

There is a Wisconsin connection to this big news:

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and WRs coach Jon Budmayr will be suspended for the first game of the 2024 season due to a recruiting violation, as first reported by The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman.

The Hawkeyes open their 2024 season against Illinois State on Aug. 31. Both coaches will then be back for the rivalry matchup against Iowa State the following week.

Related: Big Ten starting quarterback power rankings for 2024 from ProFootballFocus

Dochterman’s report notes that the violation comes from the program’s recruitment of former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara when he entered the transfer portal after the 2022 season. Ferentz and Budmayr reportedly pursued the veteran quarterback before he officially entered the portal, which led to him committing to the program only three days after entering.

Budmayr, who is currently Iowa’s wide receivers coach, was a special assistant to the head coach when this situation took place. The former Badgers quarterback (2009-2011) was previously a graduate assistant (2015), quality control coach (2016-2017) and quarterbacks coach (2018-2020) at Wisconsin.

He left to take the Colorado State offensive coordinator job in 2021 before eventually landing at Iowa.

This news does not affect Wisconsin’s Nov. 2 trip to Iowa this season.

What will, however, is the Hawkeyes’ ongoing quarterback battle between McNamara and Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Broncos expect DL Eyioma Uwazurike to be reinstated by NFL

After serving a year-plus suspension, Broncos DE Eyioma Uwazurike could be reinstated “very soon.”

After being suspended for more than a year, Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike might be on the verge of returning to the team.

“I think there’s good news on his front,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “Everything in [Iowa] was dropped and the other day everything in Colorado [was dropped]. He had his conference call with the league office, and we fully anticipate him now joining us as soon as possible.

“We’re waiting on the league. He’s in great shape, and we were really excited to hear that news. We anticipate — we see that happening very soon. That’ll be an additional player for us, and we’ll be glad to have him back. So good news on that front.”

Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely on July 24, 2023 after gambling on NFL games, including Broncos games. Payton has indicated the team will welcome him back when Uwazurike is permitted to return.

“I know he’s champing at the bit to get back, and it sounds like it’s going to happen very soon,” Payton said.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos roster series: No. 96, DL Eyioma Uwazurike (suspended)

Eyioma Uwazurike remains suspended, but if the NFL lifts his ban, Uwazurike could have a real chance to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, No. 96.

Before the Broncos: Uwazurike (6-6, 320 pounds) played college football at Iowa State from 2016-2021, earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition in his final season. He totaled 144 tackles and 15 sacks in five years (60 games) with the Cyclones.

Broncos tenure: Denver picked Uwazurike in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. He dressed for eight games as rookie, totaling 17 tackles, two quarterback hits and one pass breakup on 165 snaps.

Last summer, the NFL suspended Uwazurike indefinitely for gambling, including placing wagers on Broncos games. Criminal charges in Iowa have since been dropped and the Arapahoe County DA will not file charges against him. That seemingly clears the way for Uwazurike to have his suspension lifted, but the NFL has not made a decision as of the time of publication.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Uncertain. For now, Uwazurike remains on the club’s reserve/suspended by the commissioner list. If the suspension is lifted, Uwazurike would have a decent chance to make the team this summer. The fact that the Broncos have not released him thus far suggests Uwazurike could have a future in Denver post-suspension.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Multiple former Steelers on the table after Cameron Sutton suspension

The Steelers could bring back another former Steeler to replace Cameron Sutton.

On Monday, the NFL informed the Pittsburgh Steelers that cornerback Cameron Sutton would be suspended without pay for the first eight games of the 2024 season. This leaves the Steelers once again without a starting slot cornerback or viable nickel corner.

What do the Steelers do now? They could simply turn their attention to the guys they already have on the roster. Darius Rush and Beanie Bishop Jr. are both interesting players who could develop into quality starters.

Or, Pittsburgh could do what they did with Sutton and look to free agency to bring back a former Steelers cornerback who can help.

Two names stand out as players still on the market. The obvious one is Patrick Peterson who appears to be sitting back, biding his time and enjoying his Summer until he’s ready to play again. With a full training camp and preseason, there’s no doubt Peterson could an exceptional slot cornerback.

But what about Chandon Sullivan? Sullivan played 422 snaps for the Steelers last season in the slot and did an admirable job. He’s familiar with the scheme, has quality experience and his return would be seamless.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Cam Sutton suspended for 8 games, could help the Lions’ salary case against him

Steelers CB Cam Sutton is suspended for 8 games for personal conduct policy violations, which should help the Lions’ salary case against him

Former Lions cornerback Cam Sutton now has his NFL punishment stemming from the March domestic incident that led Detroit to cut the veteran starter. The league’s decision to mete out some harsh punishment on Sutton could be a boon to the Lions in their ongoing battle with their disgraced former player.

Sutton was suspended by the NFL for eight games on Monday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Sutton will not appeal the suspension, meaning he will miss Pittsburgh’s first eight games.

The lengthy suspension could help the Lions in their quest to have his guaranteed money voided. The team filed the necessary paperwork to have Sutton’s contractual legacy voided for his conduct, but Sutton apparently filed an appeal to keep at least some of the $10.5 million the Lions had previously guaranteed to him.

Getting suspended by the league for eight games indicates that Sutton did indeed commit an egregious enough act to justify the Lions’ decision to release him. It can only help Detroit’s case to get the full contract value fully voided, though it’s all still up to an arbitrator to decide at an unknown time.

Hopefully the entire sordid mess and contract voidance issue is resolved soon.

Steelers CB Cameron Sutton suspended for first 8 games of season

The Steelers will be without Cameron Sutton for nearly half of the regular season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers got the news today that cornerback Cameron Sutton will be suspended without pay for the first eight games of the regular season. The NFL investigated the March domestic violence incident involving Sutton and determined he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

Pittsburgh signed Sutton less than a month ago on a league-minimum veteran contract to help bolster the secondary. Sutton spent the first six seasons with the Steelers and was the team’s best cornerback in 2022.

Sutton parlayed that big season into a free-agent contract with the Lions but wasn’t a good fit in Detroit. The Lions released Sutton after the reports that a warrant for his arrest had been issued.

It isn’t clear whether the Steelers will keep Sutton on the roster or release him after the news of his suspension.

They are back to square one on who will be the slot cornerback this season. It is hard to imagine the Steelers had any idea this level of suspension was coming or they might not have signed him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

CFL team signs Broncos tryout QB John Matocha after Chad Kelly’s suspension

After losing Chad Kelly to a suspension, the CFL’s Argonauts are set to sign record-breaking QB John Matocha, who tried out for the Broncos.

After trying out for the Denver Broncos at rookie minicamp earlier this month, record-setting quarterback John Matocha will now get an opportunity in the Canadian Football League.

The Toronto Argonauts are set to sign Matocha, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. While playing for the Colorado School of Mines (Division II), Matocha threw 162 touchdown passes in four seasons, setting an NCAA record. He also rushed for 28 scores, giving him 190 total touchdowns.

“He’s been fun to work with,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Matocha on May 11. “He’s sharp, he’s smart and has a lot of energy. We had him here for the local pro day that we were allowed to have, and it’s good to have him back.”

Matocha had a three-day tryout in Denver during rookie minicamp.

“[He’s been] awesome,” the QB said when asked about Payton. “Obviously, [he’s] a very smart coach and a great guy. He runs this place really well and like I said, I’m super happy to be here.”

Matocha’s tryout did not end with a contract offer from the Broncos, but he’ll now get a chance in the CFL. The Argonauts needed more depth at quarterback after losing Chad Kelly to a suspension.

Kelly was suspended for a minimum of nine games after an investigation determined that he violated the league’s gender-based violence policy. Kelly initially denied the allegations of harassing a former Argonaut coach, but his tweeted statement was deleted, and the investigation resulted in a hefty suspension.

The ex-Denver quarterback was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023. With Kelly suspended, Matocha will join a Toronto quarterback room that includes Nick Arbuckle, Cameron Dukes and Bryan Scott. The Argonauts are set to open the 2024 regular season against the BC Lions on Sunday, June 9.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Stenhouse fined, others suspended for All-Star fight

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has been fined $75,000 for his physical altercation with Kyle Busch in the North Wilkesboro Speedway garage after Sunday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race. Stenhouse was waiting at the back of Busch’s Richard Childress Racing hauler …

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has been fined $75,000 for his physical altercation with Kyle Busch in the North Wilkesboro Speedway garage after Sunday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race.

Stenhouse was waiting at the back of Busch’s Richard Childress Racing hauler to confront him about their on-track contact. On lap 2, Busch spun Stenhouse in Turn 2 as retaliation after being put three-wide the lap before with Michael McDowell. Busch bounced off the outside wall and chased down Stenhouse to make contact.

In the garage, the two started out by debating the incident and disagreeing on what happened. Stenhouse threw a punch that started a melee that included crew members from both teams and his father, Ricky Stenhouse Sr.

“When you wait 198 laps and you make those decisions that were made we’re going to react to that,” NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “There could have been different decisions made. Once we get to the point where it gets physical, we want the two drivers to be able to have their time to express their differences but again, once it escalates to where there’s been a physical altercation there, we’re going to react. Granted there was no tunnel, granted there was no crossover bridge, but better decisions could have been made throughout that period of time between the incident that happened on the racetrack and the incident that happened in the garage post-race.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1428]

Stenhouse Sr. has been indefinitely suspended for his role in the fight. He could be seen going after Busch after the punch was thrown.

JTG Daugherty Racing also had two of its crew members from Stenhouse’s team suspended.

Keith Matthews, the engine tuner, has been suspended for the next four Cup Series race weekends (through Iowa Speedway). Clint Myrick, a mechanic, has been suspended for the next eight Cup Series race weekends (through Pocono Raceway).

“When you have crew members and family members that put their hands on our athletes, our drivers, we’re going to react,” Sawyer said. “We’ve been consistent with this: When crew members get involved and family members get involved, we are going react, and that’s exactly what we did. We looked at all the audio and video from the incident on Sunday night.”

Kyle Busch was not penalized.