Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has been suspended without pay for the first regular season game for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, the NFL announced Friday.
NFL.com, the league’s official website, reports the suspension stems from Bowe’s November 2013 arrest in Riverside, Mo., for possession of marijuana and speeding.
Bowe eventually pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of defective equipment and littering at the Municipal Court of the City of Riverside on April 16. The court also fined Bowe $610.
“We are disappointed in the situation and will miss him on the field,” the Chiefs said in a released statement, “but we support the league’s decision.”
Bowe expressed remorse in statement released by the NFLPA.
“I am extremely sorry that I can’t be on the field for the first game of the 2014 season because I made an error in judgment,” Bowe said in the statement. “I take responsibility for my mistake, and it will not happen again. I hope that my teammates, coaches, and Chiefs fans accept my sincere apology. I will be supporting my teammates in week one, and I cannot wait to get back on the field to help us win in week two and beyond as we work towards our goal of winning the Super Bowl.”
Bowe can participate in preseason practices and games before serving the one-game suspension for the regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 7.
The eighth-year pro is eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 8.
Bowe led the Chiefs wide receivers with 57 catches for 673 yards and five touchdowns.
The Chiefs currently have 13 wide receivers on the roster before the first roster cut on Aug. 26. And Bowe’s suspension could impact how many wide receivers the Chiefs keep after the final roster cuts on Aug. 30.
Donnie Avery and Junior Hemingway will likely start the regular season at the wide receiver position.
The Chiefs currently have a host of wide receiver options to fill the slot for the first regular season game, including A.J. Jenkins, Kyle Williams, Frankie Hammond or rookie Albert Wilson.
