The New York Jets have another problem to deal with. On Thursday, the NFL announced that guard Oday Aboushi will be suspended for the first game of the 2015 regular season after violating the league’s Substance of Abuse policy, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Jets' Oday Aboushi has been suspended for first game of regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2015
As for the exact violation, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has more:
Per agents, Oday Aboushi was pulled over for a traffic stop on 1/10. Police found “a very small amount” of pot. Oday accepted responsibility
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2015
Aboushi is the second Jets player to be suspended this offseason, with the much more notable Sheldon Richardson getting four games. Richardson’s suspension will hurt more, but the Aboushi ban just furthers the narrative that the team is completely out of control. Most assumed the Wild West days were done in Gotham after owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Rex Ryan, but it appears that culture remains.
For his part, Aboushi had this statement after the suspension was released, per NFL.com.
"“I apologize for my actions and understand the repercussions,” Aboushi said in a statement. “This is something I’ve learned from and I’m focused on moving forward.”"
Aboushi can continue to practice and play in preseason games, but won’t be eligible for an active roster spot when the Jets take on the Cleveland Browns come Sept. 13. The following day, Aboushi will be eligible to return.
Only a fifth-round pick in 2013, new general manager Mike Maccagnan might decided to simply part ways with Aboushi, considering he is in a battle to make the roster at the moment.