New England Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes suspended by the NFL
New England Patriots’ rookie inside linebacker Brandon Spikes has been suspended by the National Football league for violating its performance-enhancing drugs policy. Spikes has been suspended without pay for 4 games.
Spikes won’t be present when the New England Patriots face the Chicago Bears this Sunday. He will not appeal the ban and serve out the four-game ban which will apply till the end of the regular season. He will, however, be permitted
to appear in the playoffs, a certainty at this point for the Patriots.
It was not revealed which substance Spikes used but it has been made clear that he was not using steroids. "I've been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance
in a drug test," said Spikes, according to a statement released by the Patriots. "The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking. It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug.
"The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league's ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake."
After Jerod Mayo, Spikes leads the inside linebackers on New England’s roster with 61 sacks. Spikes caught his first NFL interceptions this Monday night against New York Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez. 23-year-old Spikes was drafted
by the Patriots in the second round of the draft. His absence would be felt by the Patriots’ secondary. Against the Jets, Spikes had 7 tackles in just 23 snaps.
Gary Guyton is expected to stand in for Spikes. Guyton has 43 tackles and 2 sacks to his credit so far in the season in addition to an interception which he returned for a 59 yard touchdown.
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