NFL Suspensions: 5 players who will be missed the most
By Natalie G.
5. Donald Stephenson – Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Donald Stephenson has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs. “Obviously losing Donald is disappointing, but we are in full compliance with the league’s policy,” the team said in the statement. “We will have no further comment on the situation.” Losing Stephenson is a rough blow for a team that already waved farewell to tackle Branden Albert and, guards Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz during the offseason. The pressure now falls on left guard Jeff Allen and rookie bookend Eric Fisher to hold down the fort. The untested Ryan Harris and Zach Fulton are candidates to fill in for Stephenson during a four-game slate that include the Titans, Broncos, Dolphins and Patriots.
Coach Andy Reid is going to have to come up with some clever offensive schemes to keep quarterback Alex Smith off his back while Stephenson is out. Last season, Smith was sacked 39 times in 15 games, which represented the second-most sacks he’s had to contend with. Only the 2011 season with the San Francisco 49ers — when he led the league by being sacked 44 times — eclipsed last season’s total.