NFL suspends Bengals’ Adam Jones for season opener vs. Ravens

The NFL has suspended Adam Jones one game without pay for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Jones will miss the Bengals opener, an AFC North game against the Ravens. Jones was charged with misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct, and obstructing official business from a January arrest. A felony charge for harassment with a bodily substance was dropped in March.

The NFL released a statement on Jones’ case:

The NFL today notified Adam Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals that he will be suspended without pay for the first 2017 regular season game for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

In May, Jones entered a plea of guilty to obstruction of official business stemming from a January 2017 incident. The state court imposed a sentence of time served (two days’ confinement) and court fees.

The NFL explained in a letter to Jones that it considered the “extensive video documentation of the tone, tenor and nature of your interactions with law enforcement at the site of your arrest, during transportation to the jail, and during the booking process. As you acknowledged, your post-arrest words and actions reflected poorly on you and your family, the Cincinnati Bengals football club, and the NFL. While it is our understanding that appropriate apologies have been publicly extended, they do not completely negate your behavior and admission of culpability for the underlying conduct.”

Jones will be eligible to return to the team’s active roster on Monday, September 11 following the Bengals’ September 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Jones is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

Jones may appeal this decision within three days.

The video the NFL references in its statement can be seen here.

Jones plans on appealing the suspension, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio.

The Bengals also released a statement on the matter:

Jones’ agent also released a statement, saying he and his client would do what is in the best interest of the Bengals:

In May, Jones apologized to the arresting officers while in court:

It’s not Jones’ first suspension. He missed the entire 2007 season and part of the 2008 season for other off-the-field issues. He’s been arrested a total of 10 times since being drafted 12 years ago.

Jones signed a three-year contract with the Bengals before the 2016 season. He played in all 16 games for the Bengals last season, and it seems unlikely he’ll be able to do that again unless his appeal is successful.

However, the odds aren’t in his favor.