The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already short-handed on defense, and the secondary just got a little slimmer.
The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib has been suspended 4 games by the NFL for violating the leagues banned substance policy.
Talib was had reportedly taken the substance Adderall, which is banned by the NFL.
The suspension will take effect immediately, and Talib will miss Sundays contest against the Chiefs.
He is eligible to return November 5.
Bucs head coach released a brief statement.
“I have spoken with Aqib, and he knows that he made a poor decision that let our team down,” coach Greg Schiano said in a statement. “Certainly, other players will have the opportunity to step up while he serves this suspension.”
Talib also released a statement of his own on the matter.
“Around the beginning of training camp, I made a mistake by taking an Adderall pill without a prescription,” he said. “This is especially regrettable because, for the past several months, with Coach Schiano’s help, I’ve worked very hard to improve myself — professionally and personally — as a player and a man. I am truly sorry to my teammates, coaches and Buccaneers fans, and I’m disappointed in myself. I will work diligently every day of this suspension to stay in top football shape and be ready to help this team in the second half of the season. I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation I put myself in, which is why I will not exercise my appeal rights and will begin serving the suspension immediately.”
