Patriots Brandon Spikes suspended For steroid use
New England Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes will not be a part of the team for the last few games of the regular season.
Spikes has been suspended for four games for using performance enhancing drugs, more commonly known as steroids. Using steroids is a violation of NFL policy.
"The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking," Spikes said in a statement.
Spikes added, "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 organisation for this mistake."
The suspension is effective immediately and will end after the Patriots’ last regular season game on 2 January.
Spikes will serve his suspension immediately, so that he will be able to return in time for the playoffs. He will not appeal the suspension.
The rookie linebacker has the second highest number of tackles in the team, and those four games will show how much of an impact he has on the team.
New England will replace Spikes with third year player Gary Guyton. He started as a strong side inside linebacker back in 2009. He has been the top sub linebacker this year, and replaces Spikes when it comes to passing plays.
Dane Fletcher, a rookie free agent, also moved up one spot with Spikes out.
With more sub defences in the past few games, Spikes did not have as much on field time. However his production per play was significant against the New York Jets on Monday, when he made seven tackles in 23 plays. The Patriots won the game 45-3.
The Patriots also signed defensive back Chevis Jackson last Friday. He was picked up in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Coming from Louisiana State University, Jackson was released by the Falcons in September and picked up by
the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played two games and was then cut again on 17 November.
New England will next play the Chicago Bears on Sunday, 12 December at Soldier Field.
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