1. 49ers’ Aldon Smith suspended nine games
San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith has been suspended nine games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Smith received concurrent 12-day jail sentences in July for weapons and DUI charges, and was taken into custody at Los Angeles Airport for reportedly making a fake bomb threat in April. Smith has been placed on three years’ probation, with 235 hours of community service and a $2,000 fine.
Smith accumulated 34 total tackles and 8.5 sacks in 11 games last season, after the team drafted him in the first round out of Missouri in 2011.
The 49ers open the regular season Sept. 7 against Dallas, but Smith will only be allowed to return for the team’s week 11 game at the Giants.
2. Colts’ owner Irsay suspended for violating league policy
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended by the NFL for six games and fined him $500,000 for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Irsay pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI count after he was arrested at a traffic stop in March. The suspension, which bars Irsay from the team facility, begins on September 5 and will be eligible to return following the Colts’ game against the Houston Texans on October 9, but the move was an unpopular one amongst NFL players.
NFL players were not happy at the league’s punishment of Colts owner Jim Irsay. FULL STORY: http://t.co/LW2D3rUsXx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 4, 2014
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the running of the team will fall into the hands of Colts COO Pete Ward, GM Ryan Grigson, and Irsay’s daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon.
3. Wes Welker suspended four games for drug use
The Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker has been suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Welker was tested positive in May, and appealed the subsequent suspension two weeks ago, but the appeal was denied. Welker will only be eligible to return for the Broncos’ Week 6 game against the Jets, which means that quarterback Peyton Manning will be without his top receiver against the Colts (Week 1) and the Seahawks (Week 3), in a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII.
4. Texans DE J.J. Watt signs $100m extension
Houston Texans J.J. Watt signed a contract – worth $100 million over six years, with $51.9 million of guaranteed money – a record among defensive players. Watt is just the second defensive player to land a $100 million contract for NFL players.
As the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Watt had two years left on a four-year deal with the Houston Texans worth $11.3 million before signing the extension.
The move by the Texans is an effort to keep arguably the best defensive player in the league on their team. Watt leads all players in sacks (31), quarterback hits (89), knockdowns (85), tackles for loss (61), batted passes at the line of scrimmage (21) and tackles by defensive ends (161) over his past two seasons.
5. Michael Sam gets another chance with Dallas
The St. Louis Rams cut defensive end Michael Sam before the Aug. 30 deadline, selecting undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks over Sam, despite Sam’s 11 tackles and three sacks in three preseason games, including a team-leading six tackles in the final game.
Then the Rams opted to add depth to their other positions, neglecting Sam from their practice squad.
But Sam’s hopes of being the first openly gay player in the NFL were reignited after the Dallas Cowboys choose to add Sam to their practice squad.
“It was a little longer than I expected,” Sam said. “But you know what, I’m here now and that’s all that matters.”
