Strong loses his appeal, will miss opener
Texans receiver suspended for one game for violating NFL’s substance-abuse policy
METAIRIE,La.—Texanswide receiver Jaelen Strong lost his appeal and will serve a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abusepolicy—punishment that stems from a possession of marijuana arrest last year in Arizona.
Strong will miss the Texans’ season opener against Jacksonville, costing him $40,294 from his scheduled base salary of $685,000.
He is eligible to return to the active roster Sept. 11 after the Texans’ game against the Jaguars.
Strong called the arrest “pretty embarrassing” last year.
Strong emphasized in a statement that he has grown since the arrest.
“I am disappointed to find out that I’ve been suspended for the first game of the season for an incident that took place over a year and a half ago,” Strong said in a statement he posted on his official Twitter account. “I’ve done everything right since that night. I have learned and matured. I have dedicated myself to being the best person that I can be for this team, this city and our community and I want to be someone that kids can look up to. I made a mistake that night, but I won’ t let this define me. Sincerely, Jaelen Strong.”
Strong, a former third-round draft pick from Arizona State, was arrested on Feb. 28 in Scottsdale, Ariz., last year when a car driven by Green Bay cornerback Damarious Randall was pulled over during a routine traffic stop.
Strong, a passenger in the car driven by his former college teammate, gave police a cigar box that had three marijuana cigarettes. The charge was dropped after Strong reached an agreement with prosecutors to undergo counseling and participate in a drug diversion program.
Strong caught a touchdown pass in last week’s game against New England. He has had an excellent training camp and offseason, reporting at a leaner 198 pounds.
For his career, Strong has caught 28 passes for 292 yards and three scores.
Without Strong on the roster for the opening game as he will be placed on the reserve-suspended list, the Texans may have to seek outside help or go with Dres Anderson or Bruce Ellington to work behind starters De Andre Hopkins and Braxton Miller.
Hopkins (hand) and Miller (ankle) have been injured but are expected back for the Jaguars game. Will Fuller is out until October with a broken collarbone.
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