The NFL and Roger Goodell made a massive statement on Wednesday, suspending a player for the use of performance-enhancing substances (PEDs). Per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the league has suspended Indianapolis Colts defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad for violating the league’s drug policy.
Colts’ defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2023
Muhammad joins a long list of players to get hit with a suspension this season. The NFL has not only cracked down on PED use but has suspended players for the use of their helmets in tackles and violating the personal conduct policy.
Indianapolis Colts DE Al-Quadin Muhammad: NFL Career
Al-Quadin Muhammad played his college ball at Miami (FL) before the New Orleans Saints selected him in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. The six-foot-four defensive end played in just four games with the Saints as a rookie before his release. The Indianapolis Colts signed Muhammad in 2022, registering 28 tackles, five TFLs, and two QB hits in 15 games. The Miami product recorded his first NFL sack in Week 1 of the 2019 season, taking down Los Angeles Chargers gunslinger Phillip Rivers. Muhammad posted a 23-tackle campaign in 2020, the same season the pass rusher received an ejection for punching Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo on Thursday Night Football.
Muhammad had a career year in 2021, tallying a career-best six sacks with 48 tackles. However, he signed with the Chicago Bears the following year. Muhammad joined the Colts for his second stint this offseason but never appeared in a game before being suspended on Wednesday.
NFL and Roger Goodell Continues to Crackdown on Violations
The NFL and Roger Goodell have had their hands busy this season, with Al-Quadin Muhammad’s suspension marking the seventh for performance-enhancing substances (PEDs) this season, per Spotrac. Notable players the NFL has popped this season for PEDs are running back Ronald Jones, rookie quarterback Jake Haener, Colts defensive lineman Grover Stewart, and offensive lineman Cam Robinson. Jones, a two-time Super Bowl Champ, was released by the Dallas Cowboys after serving his suspension. Meanwhile, Haener, Stewart, and Robinson made headlines for their suspensions.
Cleveland Browns injured receiver Michael Woods II, New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara, and Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson have also served or are serving suspensions this year. Woods got hit with a six-game suspension last week for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, while Kamara served a suspension for an incident dating back to last season. Roger Goodell forced Jackson to sit out for unsportsmanlike conduct this season after multiple fines and ejections for leading with his helmet.
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