Patriots’ LeGarrette Blount suspended one game for 2015
The NFL has suspended New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount one game for the 2015 season after violating their substance abuse policy.
In November of 2014, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount was released by the team after being arrested for marijuana possession back in the month of August. The NFL announced Tuesday that as a result of the charge, Blount would be suspended one game for the 2015 season.
More from New England Patriots
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- NFL rumors: Patriots screwed themselves with DeAndre Hopkins pursuit
- Bill O’Brien arrival did not end the road for one disliked Patriots coach
- 3 biggest mistakes from the NFL offseason
- NFL Rumors: Dalvin Cook free agency complicated by court filing
After Blount was released by the Steelers in 2014, he was picked up off the waivers by the New England Patriots, who were looking for a power running back to lead their run game. Blount did just that with the Patriots after he ran for 281 yards and three touchdowns in the final five games of the season. As the Patriots secured a berth to the playoffs, Blount added 189 more yards in the postseason. When the Patriots dismantled the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game, it was Blount who had three touchdowns, helping the Patriots to a 45-7 victory. He would then go onto help the Patriots defeat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
When Blount was arrested in the summer of 2014 for marijuana possession, he was accompanied by Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who was operating the vehicle. According to Pro Football Talk, prosecutors dropped charges against Blount after he performed 50 hours of community service to atone for his charges. But, Le’Veon Bell was charged with DUI in the case and after serving probation, Bell still likely will face a suspension from the NFL to start the 2015 NFL season as well.
Blount’s 50 hours of community service may have been enough to resolve his case with the law, but not quite enough for the NFL to let it go because he violated league policy. He’ll start the season on the bench, but we don’t yet know the team he won’t get to face as NFL schedules have yet to be released.
The Patriots will most likely not take further action on Blount as a team, considering he will only miss one game. But with other running backs Stevan Ridley and Jonas Gray, they could decide to dump Blount and use his money on another position, considering his run in with the law last year.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle