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The NFL has suspended former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Ace Sanders for the first 10 games of the 2015 season due to a failed drug test.
This suspension comes just 17 days after the Jaguars released Sanders from the team.
The #Jaguars move to part ways with Ace Sanders this offseason has context. He’s been suspended 10 games for @NFL’s substance abuse policy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2015
This is Sanders’ second run-in with the NFL’s substance abuse policy, as he was suspended for the first 4 games of the 2014 season for a similar situation.
Many are speculating that Sanders’ inevitable red flag results were the primary reason for his release from the Jaguars this offseason, but this is not necessarily the case. Sanders had a shaky year in his punt returner role last season, and was a non-factor in the passing game catching just six passes for 55 yards. Ace was undoubtably on the outside looking in as training camp approached.
On Sanders’ release, head coach Gus Bradley was quoted last week saying, "It was just time."
Sanders went unclaimed through waivers following his departure from the Jaguars and is currently a free agent. This suspension obviously severely complicates Ace’s football future.