Bengals’ Adam Jones suspended for NFL opener

The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to bounce back from a 6-9-1 record last year, but that endeavor is off to a tough start with Adam Jones being suspended.

On Friday, the NFL announced that Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones will be suspended for the first game of the 20-17 regular season, due to a violation of the personal conduct policy. Jones was involved in an ugly incident back in January, one that Jones actually filmed.

The Bengals play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, and while the contest is early on, it could have huge playoff ramifications down the line. Without Jones in the lineup, second-year man William Jackson III will likely see more snaps, this after a torn pectoral sidelined him for all of his rookie season.

Cincinnati has endured issues with the law in the past, especially early on in head coach Marvin Lewis’ tenure. The Bengals were well-known for taking on guys with red flags on their character, something that helped bring Jones to the team. Jones was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the sixth-overall pick in 2005, but lasted only three years in Nashville.

In 2007, Jones was suspended for an entire year by commissioner Roger Goodell. The Dallas Cowboys traded for Jones the following year but didn’t retain him in 2009, allowing him to play a year in the Canadian Football League.

In 2010, Cincinnati signed Jones, where he has stayed for the past seven seasons. Jones has two years remaining on his current contract, although Jones can be cut to save $6 million before the 2018 season.