NFL Suspends Former Illini RB Leshoure For 2 games
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure was suspended for two games without pay Wednesday and will have to give up two more game checks for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
Leshoure pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in May after police discovered him with pot in his mouth during a traffic stop in southwestern Michigan. That happened on March 12, less than a month after police in a different Berrien County community say they caught Leshoure with marijuana.
"We support the commissioner's decision regarding Mikel and appreciate the dialogue that we have had with the league office concerning the matter," Lions president Tom Lewand said. "As we have previously stated, we expect every member of our organization to uphold a greater standard of behavior. If that standard is not upheld, those responsible will be held accountable."
Detroit drafted the former Illinois standout in the second round last year and he missed his rookie season because he tore his left Achilles tendon in training camp. He can participate in training camp and preseason games while suspended before being eligible on Monday, Sept. 17, to be on the roster.
The Lions likely will have two more players punished by the league. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested twice and offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath had one run-in with law enforcement this offseason.
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