“Brandon Spikes of the New England Patriots has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances,’’ the NFL wrote in a statement. “Spikes’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Patriots’ active roster on Monday, January 3 following the team’s final regular season game on January 2 against the Miami Dolphins.
“Spikes is eligible to participate in all playoff games.’’
Spikes denied that his suspension was for a performance-enhancer.
“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,’’ Spikes said in a statement, which was released through the team. “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.’’
Spikes can return Jan. 3, the day after the Patriots final regular-season game, against the Dolphins. He cannot be at the team facility and must work out on his own during his suspension.
A first offense under the league’s PED policy triggers a four-game suspension. Spikes will also be fined the amount of four game checks, which is about $75,300 — his base salary this season is $320,000, which is meted out in 17 checks during the regular season.
Players are repeatedly told to check with team medical staff before taking medications; the list of banned substances under the performance-enhancer rule is lengthy.
The last Patriot to sit out under the PED policy was Rodney Harrison, who was suspended at the start of the 2007 season for admitting to the NFL he used human growth hormone.
For the duration of the suspension, Spikes is on the reserve/suspended list, meaning the Patriots can use his spot on the 53-man roster to add another player. The Patriots signed cornerback Chevis Jackson yesterday; the third-year, third-round pick from LSU fills that spot.
