Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has missed six games due to a pair of suspensions in the last two seasons. He’ll miss another four in 2018 after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing policy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict suspended again. This time for PEDs.
The Bengals linebacker will be suspended for the beginning of a third consecutive season.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Burfict, 27, is a lightning rod for controversy, but this is his first violation of the league’s PED policy. He was previously suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in the playoffs, and for the first three games of 2017 for a blindside block on a defenseless receiver in preseason.
The linebacker appealed the ruling, and reportedly claimed the failed test — which happened Dec. 27 — is the result of medication he was prescribed in December to treat a concussion and a shoulder injury. That appeal was denied and the suspension became official in March.
The news of the suspension came just days after a report that a trade to the Oakland Raiders was possibly in the works. Schefter said there are no legs to that report, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Friday there were “scuttled trade discussions” between the two teams.
Burfict, when healthy and out of trouble, has been a stalwart in the middle of the Bengals’ defense. He was a Pro Bowler in 2013 and earned the No. 12 grade among linebackers on Pro Football Focus in 2017.
His play earned him a four-year, $42.43 million contract extension in September. But this punishment could free up the Bengals to move on, as his contract included many safeguards for the possibility he’d get in trouble again.
The Bengals’ patience has been tested by Burfict. After his latest punishment, it could mean the end of the road in Cincinnati for the linebacker.
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