Bengals’ Vontaze Burfict Facing Four-Game Suspension For PED Violation

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, pending appeal, league sources stated Friday.

Vontaze Burfict PEDs suspension update

Burfict, 27, was reportedly on prescribed medication for the concussion he sustained on a hit from Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ju-Ju Smith Schuster on Dec. 4. The linebacker also suffered a Grade 3 shoulder AC sprain during the Detroit Lions game on Dec. 24. Burfict is planning to use these two facts to appeal his suspension.

Burfict was also reportedly on prescribed medication for his shoulder injury. The disputed test occurred Dec. 27, when Burfict already had been ruled out for the season. He could argue that he could not be using any type of drug to gain an unfair advantage when he wasn’t even playing.

No appeal date has yet been set.

The linebacker has previously been suspended for on-field issues. He was banned for the first three games of the 2017 season for an illegal hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman during the preseason. He was initially suspended five games, but his punishment was reduced following an appeal.

Burfict was also suspended the first three games of 2016 for several violations of player safety rules, including an illegal hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown during the 2015 playoffs.

Separately, Burfict has been fined $303,637 for 11 on-field incidents in his NFL career, per ESPN Stats & Information.

BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Baltimore Ravens and outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals are seperated by referee Clete Blakeman #34 in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)