NFL suspends Buccaneers CB Eric Wright 4 games for using Adderall
TAMPA, Fla. Tampa Bay cornerback Eric Wright has been suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Wright is the second Tampa Bay starter disciplined for using Adderall. Cornerback Aqib Talib was suspended Oct. 13 for four games and subsequently traded to the New England Patriots while serving the ban.
Wright signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Bucs as a free agent in March. He started the first 10 games of the season before sitting out Sunday's loss to Atlanta because of an Achilles tendon injury.
According to NFL writer Brian McIntyre, the suspension will hit Wright hard in the bank account:
The player issued a statement through his agent saying he took Adderall "at the end of July for health issues I was experiencing."
Wright appealed the discipline, which was upheld by the NFL.
The news comes amid reports that the Seattle Seahawks' starting cornerbacks, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, face a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Here is Wright's statement, via the Tampa Bay Times:
"It was announced today by the NFL that I am being suspended for four games. This is a result of taking Adderall at the end of July for health issues I was experiencing. I am extremely disappointed that the suspension was upheld at my appeal.
"My agent and attorneys have only received this decision this afternoon and they will be discussing it with me in the immediate future. I apologize to the Glazer family, general manager Mark Dominik, coach Schiano and the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, my teammates, our great fans and my family who have stood by me through this entire process. I will continue to prepare myself and look forward to rejoining the team."