Michael Floyd has been suspended for four regular season games

New Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd has been suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season.

It was widely expected that this would happen and the day has finally come for Michael Floyd. The newest Minnesota Vikings wide receiver has been handed a four game suspension from the NFL for his DUI arrest in late 2016 in the state of Arizona.

The NFL’s statement states that the suspension will be without pay for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. 1500ESPN’s Matthew Coller has dug into the rule book and explained that Floyd was given a four game suspension instead of the usual two for a DUI because it falls in the “extreme intoxication” realm.

Here is the policy that Coller found and posted on 1500ESPN:

"“If the Commissioner finds that there were aggravating circumstances, including but not limited to felonious conduct, extreme intoxication (BAC of .15% or more), property damage or serious injury or death to the Player or a third party, and/or if the Player has had prior drug or alcohol-related misconduct, increased discipline may be imposed. Discipline for a second or subsequent offense, absent aggravating circumstances, will be a suspension without pay for eight (8) regular and/or postseason games as determined by the Commissioner.”"

The suspension for Floyd does only go into effect once the regular season begins. This allows Floyd to attend training camp and participate in preseason games before having to sit out the first four games of the regular season.

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Floyd will miss three home games and one road game during his suspension. September 11 against the Saints, September 17 at the Pittsburgh Steelers, September 24 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and October 1 against the Detroit Lions will all be games without the Minnesota native. The first regular season game that Floyd will be eligible to suit up for for the Vikings is October 9 in Chicago against the Bears. The game, of course, will be on national TV on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

That is all assuming that Floyd does make the team. With Floyd being suspended for a fourth of the season that does not leave him with a guaranteed roster spot.

There’s also a chance of appeal of the suspension that might get Floyd back on the field sooner. We’ll keep you in the loop if that happens.

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