Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods suspended for 4 games
Dec 20, 2019, 1:01 PM | Updated: 2:08 pm
Seahawks DT Al Woods has reportedly been suspended for four games. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seahawks have been hit with their second suspension just this week.
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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods has been suspended for four games for “violating the NFL’s policy on (performance-enhancing drugs).”
#Seahawks DT Al Woods is being suspended 4 games for violating the NFL’s policy on PEDs, sources say. He started 5 games for Seattle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2019
The Seahawks confirmed the suspension on Twitter (@SeahawksPR).
The suspension begins immediately and will include the final two games of the regular season and any playoff games for which Woods is eligible to participate.
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) December 20, 2019
Woods has been a regular contributor on the defense this year, especially against opposing rushing attacks.
Woods, in his 11th season in the NFL, is in his second stint with the Seahawks after laying in two games in 2012. He was with the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers during the offseason before his rookie year but ended up playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that year. He later returned to the Steelers and later played for the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts. This is Woods’ first NFL suspension.
Woods has appeared in all 14 games for the Seahawks this season and has started in five contests. He has 32 total tackles and a sack, as well as two fumble recoveries.
His suspension comes at a rough time, as Seattle’s defense is banged up. Two defensive linemen – Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah – have missed games in recent weeks, and four other starters missed last week’s game or left the game due to injury. Woods had also been dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice Thursday.
The Seahawks now face a situation similar to one they faced Monday. On Monday, the NFL announced that wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended indefinitely due to a failed drug test. For Gordon, who has a history of substance abuse issues, it was his eighth suspension since joining the NFL in 2012.
Head coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Bryan Mone would be activated from the practice squad to take Woods’ spot. Mone appeared in three games for the Seahawks earlier this season and had three tackles.
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