Breaking: Ravens Cornerback Jimmy Smith Suspended Four Games
It was announced earlier this morning that Ravens cornerback, Jimmy Smith, has been suspended by the NFL for four games, in violation with the NFL’s PED substance use policy. It was first reported by ESPN’s NFL Insider, Adam Schefter:
Ravens’ CB Jimmy Smith is being suspended four games for violating NFL policy of performance enhancing substances, per source.
Now that Smith is out for the year with a torn Achilles, he will withdraw his appeal and begin serving suspension, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2017
(via @AdamSchefter, Twitter.com)
As Schefter reported, Smith is expected to serve his suspension immediately, after dropping his appeal. Players are allowed to serve their suspensions while on IR, such as Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon did this season, after being suspended four games. Jimmy Smith was already out for the season because of a torn Achilles suffered in the Ravens’ victory over the Lions yesterday. According to reporter Jeff Zrebiec and multiple other sources, the Ravens and Smith learned about the pending suspension sometime last week.
By serving the suspension this season, Smith will be eligible to return at any time once he is healthy next year.