The NFL has suspended Kansas City Chiefs starting right tackle Donald Stephenson for the first four games of 2014 for violating the league's PED policy.
NFL suspends Donald Stephenson 4 games for PEDs
A Chiefs offensive line already wincing from free-agent losses receives a crushing blow with the suspension of its starting right tackle.
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
In a statement released by his agent, Stephenson claims he accidentally ingested a banned substance through an unnamed medication:
“I’m extremely sorry that I failed to check with the NFL, NFLPA, or Chiefs medical team before I took a medication that requires a therapeutic use exemption. The rules are strict, and without a TUE, the consequence is a four game suspension.”
It's a major blow to a Chiefs line trying to overcome the free-agent losses of Branden Albert and Geoff Schwartz. Albert's departure prompted the relocation of former No. 1 pick Eric Fisher to left tackle, sliding Stephenson into the starting lineup at right tackle. With Fisher struggling to live up to his lofty draft status, Stephenson was expected to be the sturdier of the two bookends.
Ryan Harris, a former third-round pick by the Denver Broncos, is the early favorite to fill in for Stephenson.
The news of Stephenson's suspension comes two weeks after the one-game suspension of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who was disciplined under the substance abuse policy for a 2013 marijuana-related arrest.
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