Saints DT David Onyemata Suspended 1 Game for Substance Abuse Violation
By Parker White
The New Orleans Saints will be down a man to start the season.
On Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported defensive tackle David Onyemata has been suspended one game for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Saints’ DT David Onyemata is being suspended one game for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2019
Back in February, Onyemata was cited for illegally possessing marijuana, and because of the NFL's policy, it seemed to be a matter of time until he was punished for this citation.
Saints DT David Onyemata Suspended One Game https://t.co/IfyzAOFA3f pic.twitter.com/ufbjwefCAd
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) June 28, 2019
It's just one game, but this doesn't come at a great time for Onyemata, who is entering the final year of a four-year, $2.88 million deal.
The former 2016 fourth-round pick is one of the more underrated defensive tackles in the sport. He's a rotational player, but he played in all 16 games last year and recorded 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
New Orleans will be thin at this position Week 1, as they'll be without Onyemata and fellow defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, who tore his Achilles at the end of last season.