Throughout his NFL career, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has struggled with questionable decision-making on the field. However, the latest comes off of it, as he was handed a four-game suspension by the league last month for a performance-enhancing drugs violation.

In response to that, Burfict attempted to appeal the suspension on the basis that it occurred after he was declared out for the rest of the 2017 season. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the NFL has officially put a four-game ban on the former Pro Bowl linebacker to start the 2018 season.

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Burfict has proven to have tremendous talent on the field, but his constant struggles with making the right decisions have put him in another precarious position for the Bengals. His absence in the first month of the season leaves a sizable hole in their linebacking corps, with one of their most impactful players out of the mix.

The 27-year-old hasn't played an entire regular season since the 2013 campaign. In the seasons since then, Burfict has been fined for more than $4 million and has been suspended for six total games in his career. The fact that he was caught using performance-enhancing drugs does nothing but paint a more negative picture of him and could put his tenure with the Bengals in jeopardy.

Burfict signed a three-year, $38 million extension with the Bengals just prior to the 2017 season. He was involved in trade talks earlier this offseason, so he could be on shaky ground with the franchise despite being signed through the 2020 season. Through his tenure with the Bengals, the team has been quite loyal and supportive of him, but that could begin to wear thin the more his actions cost his teammates. Time will tell if he will remain in the Bengals' long-term plans.