Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has hit the headlines again for all the wrong reasons.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the embattled Cincy linebacker is facing a four-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
Bengals’ LB Vontaze Burfict is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Drug policy, pending appeal, league sources tell ESPN. No appeal date yet.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2018
For those familiar with Burfict (pretty much anybody who's familiar with the National Football League), isn't surprised by this news. This is a football player who isn't existing without at least a bit of controversy in the mix.
He's been suspended by the league before, but this is the first time it's come as a result of PED use.
Burfict, 27, is a one-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker who's anchored the Bengals defense for six years. He's not only paved the way in terms of tackles, but also, attitude.
Rumors about his name on the trade block have circulated all offseason long. Now, thanks to a four-game suspension, that talk can swiftly be swatted away.
As it already stood, Cincy is in dire need of linebacking help. Preston Brown was signed earlier on Friday, but he alone could hardly fill the positional hole and now that Burfict will be out at least a quarter of the season, the need deepens for Marvin Lewis and company.
A year ago, Vontaze Burfict played in 10 games for the Cincinnati Bengals while registering 48 tackles and collecting 1.5 sacks.