NFL suspends Jets DT Sheldon Richardson for opener vs. Bengals
The New York Jets won’t have defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson for their 2016 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, after the NFL suspended him Thursday for violating its personal conduct policy.
The suspension is the result of Richardson being charged with resisting arrest in Missouri last July. He led police on a high-speed chase and ended up getting sentenced to two years of bench probation, community service and a fine. Police said Richardson was traveling as fast as 143 mph, that a fully loaded semi-automatic weapon was found in the car and that there was a strong odor of burned marijuana emanating from his vehicle.
The Jets drafted Richardson 13th overall in 2013, and he was a Pro Bowl selection in 2014, when he racked up eight sacks. He played in only 11 games and had five sacks last season after he was suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He reportedly tested positive for marijuana use.
