NFL Announces Numerous Suspensions

By ESPN

Quarterback Johnny Manziel has been suspended four games, the NFL announced Thursday.

The NFL did not specify the reason for the suspension, but a source confirmed to ESPN that it was for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

TMZ Sports first reported news on Manziel's suspension.

Manziel, 23, is a free agent after being released by the Cleveland Browns earlier this year. His four-game suspension becomes effective immediately. If he signs with a team, Manziel would be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season and conceivably could play in Week 5.

The NFL stated that Manziel was eligible to sign and participate in all preseason activities, including games.

Manziel could face additional discipline under the personal conduct policy for other transgressions, including being charged with assaulting his girlfriend, sources told ESPN.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain has been suspended for the season's first 10 games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the league announced.

McClain, 26, was suspended the first four games of last season for violating the policy.

In March, the Cowboys re-signed McClain to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. He is set to receive a $1.25 million base salary and could earn $125,000 for each game he is on the 46-man roster, maxing out at $2 million. He also has $1 million in playing-time incentives.

Per the collective bargaining agreement, McClain could be forced to repay the $750,000 signing bonus he received as part of the deal. McClain faces the possibility of being released, however, which would preclude the Cowboys from seeing the bonus money returned.

It is another chapter in a tumultuous career for McClain, who was the eighth pick of the 2010 draft by the Oakland Raiders. He was released after the 2012 season in which he was deactivated for the final five games. He retired twice, including after a stint of about one month with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence had his appeal denied and has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Lawrence, who led the team with eight sacks last season, is being disciplined for using amphetamines, sources told ESPN in April.

Lawrence will be eligible to return to the roster on Oct. 3, and is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson has been suspended without pay for the first game of the regular season for violating the NFL personal conduct policy, the NFL announced Thursday.

He will be eligible to return to the Jets roster on Sept. 12 and is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

Richardson posted a response on his Instagram later Thursday.

Richardson pleaded guilty in January to resisting arrest after leading police on a high-speed chase in July 2015. He avoided jail time but was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. For four traffic violations, he was fined a total of $1,050.