NFL delivers more suspensions as Lions stand to benefit

Tuesday was apparently Suspension Day around the NFL, as Roger Goodell and company handed down several decision on the day before the fourth of July. First, it was announced that 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster has been suspended two games because of his gun charges and marijuana possession arrest early this year.

The 49ers loss is the Detroit Lions’ gain, as the two are set to face off in Week 2 of the 2018 season.

But the NFL handed down two other decisions that will theoretically benefit the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. First, the league gave Packers running back Aaron Jones a two-game suspension after a violation of league policy stemming from a marijuana-related charge from last year. The Lions will not play the Packers during that stretch, but Green Bay will be without one of their better backs for two home divisional games to kick off the season: one against the Bears, one against the Vikings.

Later in the day, the NFL decided to uphold their four-game suspension of Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who had formally appealed the decision. Now it is confirmed that Edelman will miss the Week 3 tilt against the Lions.

This is never the way you want to earn a competitive advantage in the NFL, but at this point, the Lions will take whatever edge they can get. It’s been over 25 years since they’ve won a playoff game, so a little luck is a bit overdue for this franchise.