The second-year receiver may participate in the preseason and will be eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 30, the day after the Jaguars play Indianapolis.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The NFL has suspended Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon for the first four games of the 2013 regular season for a violation of the league's substance abuse policies.
The league said today that Blackmon may participate in the preseason and will be eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 30, the day after the Jaguars play Indianapolis.
Blackmon was a first-round draft choice in 2012 out of Oklahoma State.
Last season he caught 64 passes for 865 yards and five touchdowns.
--Associated Press
The Jaguars' 2013 schedule includes a game at Cleveland on Dec. 1.
Josh Alper reports on Blackmon's suspension for ProFootballTalk. Alper includes in his report an apology issued by Blackmon:
“I’ve made a mistake and I have no excuse. I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person. I will have a productive training camp and pre-season with my team, and during the suspension I will work hard to stay in top football shape and be ready to help the Jaguars when I return. I have chosen to be accountable for my poor decision, and I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, the front office and Jaguars fans for the impact of my mistake on the team.”