Former Rams safety T.J. McDonald suspended 8 games

T.J. McDonald hasn’t generated much interest as a free agent since the Los Angeles Rams allowed his contract to expire and it could be because of an eight-game suspension he was handed Wednesday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

McDonald, 26, started 53 games over four seasons with the Rams after he was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. While Yates doesn’t specify why McDonald was suspended, it’s likely due to a driving under the influence arrest in May 2016.

In January, McDonald pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol. The young safety didn’t become a free agent until after accepting the misdemeanor charge and his impending suspension is likely the reason for the lack of interest in McDonald.

On the field, McDonald is likely a player who can upgrade an NFL secondary. He was emerging as a hard-hitting force at strong safety for the Rams, but will now miss the first half of the 2017 season and is another slip-up away from an even more severe punishment.

However, now that the news of his suspension has been released, teams may be more inclined to go after the free agent with knowledge of what they’re getting. According to Yates, the Miami Dolphins brought in McDonald for a visit Wednesday, his first since becoming a free agent.