Jaguars' Cam Robinson suspended four games by the NFL
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been bracing for bad news regarding their star left tackle Cam Robinson. The Jags' starting left tackle was suspended an undisclosed period of time back on April 27, 2023 for violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The team drafted tackle Anton Harrison in the first round that same night. […]
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been bracing for bad news regarding their star left tackle Cam Robinson. The Jags' starting left tackle was suspended an undisclosed period of time back on April 27, 2023 for violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The team drafted tackle Anton Harrison in the first round that same night.
As it turns out, the news isn't quite as bad as it could have been. ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco previous reported that Robinson was facing a suspension of either two, six or eight games.
As it turns out, it was somewhere between the best-case figure and the next best. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Thursday afternoon that the league's suspension of Robinson will be four games.
So it's better than it actually could have been, based on DiRocco's initial report. The team drafted Harrison and will shift Walker Little over to the left side to start the season. Little started both of the Jags' playoff games last season and has eight career starts, including the playoffs.
Robinson was drafted by Jacksonville in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 34th overall pick. He signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension with the team in April 2022. The suspension will reportedly cost him $3.55 million in salary and void the remainder of the guaranteed money of his existing contract.
The team released the following statement Thursday after the news broke regarding the suspension length:
"We are aware of the four-game suspension incurred today by OL Cam Robinson. While we certainly respect the NFL's ruling and are disappointed with this development, we will support Cam as he works his way through the suspension. We are confident that Cam and our team will rise above this challenge as we collectively move forward." – Jaguars.com
Robinson remains eligible to participate with the team through training camp and all preseason games until the start of the season. He's eligible to return to the active roster the day after the team's Week 4 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in London.
Robinson issued the following statement Thursday as well:
"As a veteran leader in the locker room, I always want to set a good example and my actions in this instance are not a reflection of that goal. I apologize to the fans, my coaches and, most importantly, my teammates. It hurts me that I cannot be out there with my brothers at the start of the regular season. I will attack training camp the same way I have for the last six seasons, to make sure I am ready both mentally and physically." Cam Robinson via Jaguars.com
It could have been worse for the Jaguars' incumbent left tackle, but Jacksonville will have to spend the first month of their season without their cornerstone lineman.
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Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
