Baltimore Ravens' nose tackle Haloti Ngata has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy, the team announced via Twitter. Ngata has already taken responsibility for his actions, per the Baltimore Sun.
Ravens’ NT Haloti Ngata suspended for violating performance enhancing substances policy
Ngata will miss the rest of the regular season after a violation of NFL policy.
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
“I made a mistake, and I own this. I took Adderall and take full responsibility for doing this. I am deeply sorry and broken up over this. I let down my family, my teammates, Ravens fans and myself. My hope is that the Ravens make the playoffs, and I believe they can do this. And, then I can come back and help us win.”
With the suspension, Ngata will miss the rest of the regular season. Baltimore is in a precarious position in the AFC standings, sitting at 7-5 and tied with a litany of teams for the final playoff spot in the conference. The Ravens have a very important game this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, a team that currently holds the sixth and final playoff spot.
General manager Ozzie Newsome expressed his disappointment in Ngata’s slip-up, per Luke Jones of WNST radio in Baltimore.
“This is disappointing news for the Ravens. We are disappointed with Haloti, but no more than he is with himself.”
News of the impending suspension came down internally Wednesday, leading to predictable anger during such a key stretch of the season.
Ravens learned of pending news with Haloti Ngata Wed. from team president Dick Cass, according to a source. Team is extremely upset with him
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) December 4, 2014 Ngata’s mistake will be a costly one. By getting suspended, the hulking lineman loses $2 million from his base salary, money that can be subtracted from Baltimore’s salary cap, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Ngata is in the midst of his worst season since his rookie season with only 31 tackles and a pair of sacks. The loss of Ngata will be felt however, with the nine-year pro only having missed five games in his entire career.
With Ngata suspended, the Ravens will have to fill in with rookie Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams, according to Wilson. Jernigan has 12 tackles and two sacks this season, while Williams actually has more tackles than Ngata with 35.
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