The linebacker becomes the third member of the New York Jets to be assessed an early-season suspension, as he will miss opening night in Detroit.
A league spokesman announced on Saturday that New York Jets linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis has been suspended one game without pay for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
While the league has been specific about the violation committed, but it’s possible the suspension stems from a January 2018 arrest, when Pierre-Louis was still a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, THC, and drug paraphernalia. He was also driving without a license as well and failed to display a valid license plate or registration.
Pierre-Louis, 26, entered the league as a fourth-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2014 draft out of Boston College.
He signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Jets in March, having spent last season with the Chiefs, playing 14 games and picking up a career-high 41 tackles. He had spent three seasons with the Seahawks. He did not play in the Jets’ preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night.
Pierre-Louis will miss the team’s first regular-season contest on September 10, a Monday night showdown with the Detroit Lions. He is eligible to partake in all preseason practices and games and will be allowed to return to the active roster the day after the Detroit game.
He becomes the third Jet to be suspended in the early portions of the season, joining receiver ArDarius Stewart, who will miss the first two games due to PED usage, and cornerback Rashard Robinson, who got four games for marijuana possession.
The Jets will return to preseason action on Thursday night, taking on the Washington Redskins (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).
