Washington OT Trent Williams suspended four games for substance abuse violation
Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams will be suspended for the next four games without pay for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse, the NFL and Washington announced on Tuesday.
Washington, which is 4-3-1 after tying with the Cincinnati Bengals in London on Sunday, is on its bye. Its first game without Williams, who has been to the Pro Bowl the past four years, is Nov. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Williams will also miss games against Green Bay in Week 11, at Dallas in Week 12, and in Arizona for Week 13.
Washington posted a statement from the NFL and a team statement on its website.
The NFL statement:
“Trent Williams of the Washington Redskins has been suspended without pay for the team’s next four games for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
Williams’ suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Redskins’ active roster on Monday, December 5 following the team’s December 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals.”
[Play our $125K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]
And the team statement:
“Today, Trent Williams was suspended by the NFL under the terms of the Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse for the next four games. We met with Trent today to discuss this unfortunate news. Per the terms of the Policy, Trent will be permitted to participate in team meetings and workout out at the Redskins’ facilities throughout this time. The Redskins are counting on Trent to help our team when he returns from suspension. Our focus will now turn to the Minnesota Vikings after our bye this upcoming weekend. Any questions related to this matter should be directed to the NFL or NFLPA.”
As noted by the team, the league and NFL Players Association have agreed that unlike those suspended for performance-enhancers or personal conduct, players suspended for substance abuse can still attend meetings and be around the team – the thinking is that the structure benefits such players.
Williams was the fourth overall pick in 2010. He has started 92 of the 93 games he has played with Washington.
