OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens wide receiver David Reed was suspended without pay for the season-opener as well as an additional game check by the league for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy, a punishment that will cost him a total of $52,941 and affect the Ravens’ return game and depth on offense.
This NFL discipline stems from a drug case last year in Baltimore County where Reed was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after officers discovered marijuana at his residence after neighbors called the police to complain about smoke allegedly coming out the front door.
The case was essentially dropped when prosecutors moved it to an inactive court docket called the ‘stet’ docket and Reed wasn’t given any jail time or criminal record. No legal action will be taken as long as Reed remains out of trouble.
Despite how it was adjudicated, the NFL still regarded the incident as a violation of it policy.
The Ravens weren’t caught off-guard by the suspension and were awaiting this action from the league office.
"We were aware that this would happen," the team said in a statement.
Drafted in the fifth round last year out of Utah, Reed led the NFL with a 29.3 kickoff return average and established a franchise record for longest kickoff return with a 103-yard return for a touchdown against the Houston Texans.
Reed’s suspension begins Saturday and he’s eligible to return Sept. 12, the day after the Ravens’ game against the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. He doesn’t count against the Ravens’ roster limit of 53 players during the suspension.
With Reed out for the Steelers game, the Ravens will likely turn to rookie draft picks Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss to work behind starters Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans at wide receiver. If the younger receivers falter, a veteran like Chris Chambers has been linked to the Ravens as a possibility.
The Ravens could use rookie wide receiver LaQuan Williams on kick returns as well as Smith or Jalen Parmele.
Docked a pair of $26,470 game checks, Reed is due a $450,000 base salary this season. He was signed to a three-year contract last year worth $1.34 million that includes a $133,900 signing bonus.
