The NFL announced Friday that Indianapolis Colts defensive end, Arthur Jones has been suspended for four games for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy.
Jones can participate in the team's training camp and throughout the preseason but will have to sit out once the preseason comes to a conclusion. He can return to the Colts on Monday, October 3rd, following the team's week four game on October 2nd.
Rough tenure for Jones
Arthur Jones' time with the Colts continues to go further and further south. The ex-Baltimore Raven has played a total of nine games with the Colts since signing with them in 2014. Last year he was placed on IR with an ankle injury.
Jones, who signed a five-year, $33 million contract back in 2014 has only played just nine games with the Colts so far in his brief tenure with the team. Since being a defensive stalwart during his time with the Ravens, Jones has missed an extreme amount of games during his time in Indy. If Jones doesn't begin to get on the field more often his time in Indianapolis could very well come to an end.
He will miss games against the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, and finally the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will be eligible to return in the week five matchup with the Chicago Bears.
What happens to the defense?
The loss of Arthur Jones is a huge void in an already shaky Colts defense. Now with Jones out it could lead to more playing time for some younger players like rookie fourth-round pick, Hassan Ridgeway or second-year pro Henry Anderson who the Colts selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft.
No matter who it is, somebody will have to step up in the absence left by Arthur Jones.