Over the last few seasons, the Los Angeles Chargers have constructed a solid defensive unit with a formidable group of talent. Among those cornerstone players on the defensive line has been defensive tackle Corey Liuget.

However, the Chargers will not have his services over the first four games of the season due to testing positive performance-enhancing drugs. In response to that, the 28-year-old has issued a statement through a team press release about the suspension, according to Chargers.com.

“I made a mistake and take full responsibility. As part of my training program, I placed my trust in someone who, in hindsight, was not well-versed in the NFL’s policy on banned substances.  As players, we’re told time and again that the NFL holds you responsible for anything in your body.  Even if you take it accidentally, it’s on you.  Pretty cut and dry.  You hear it and think, ‘That won’t be me, that can’t possibly happen to me.’  Yet here I am, suspended four games.  And that’s my fault.  I apologize to our fans, my family and the entire Chargers organization. I hate that I won’t be able to be there for my teammates to start the season, but I will turn this into a positive. When my number is called, you can count on me being ready to answer that call.”

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Despite the suspension, Liuget is still eligible to partake in all the team offseason activities along with the preseason practices and games leading up to the start of the regular season. The loss of Liuget for the first four games is a major blow as he has proven to be one of the better defensive tackles in the league.

In the 2017 season, he had 21 tackles with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two passes deflected in 12 games played. Although his production dropped, Liuget still earned some consideration for the Pro Bowl due to his impact on the defensive front alongside Pro Bowlers linebacker Melvin Ingram and defensive end Joey Bosa.

His absence should push Darius Philon and Isaac Rochell into more prominent roles through the first month of the season. Philon displayed some notable improvement in his game notching a career 4.5 sacks while Rochell was limited to just three games where he notched four tackles and a sack over that span. The Chargers could also look to add more depth at the position through free agency or the draft.