Detroit Lions safety Jayron Kearse suspended 3 games without pay

The NFL announced on Friday that Detroit Lions safety Jayron Kearse has been suspended for the first three games of the 2020 season due to a violation of the NFL policy and program on substances of abuse. While Kearse will be suspended without pay, he is allowed to participate in all preseason activities. When the season starts, he must sit out, then can return to the team after their Week 3 game against the Cardinals.

This suspension is not completely unexpected. Last October, Kearse was arrested in Minnesota after failing a sobriety test while also in possession of a firearm without a permit.

“I would like to apologize to the team, to the fans, for actions over this past weekend,” Kearse said back in October per TwinCities.com. “It’s not a reflection of who I am as a person or what this organization stands for. The team and these fans deserve better. I definitely take this matter seriously and I’m sorry for putting anybody in harm’s way, and I will go through all the necessary steps to improve myself.”

While the official NFL statement doesn’t reference this exact incident, there was an expectation that Kearse would see some sort of discipline over that matter.

Kearse signed with the Lions back in March and is expected to compete for a reserve role with the team behind the presumed starters, Tracy Walker and Duron Harmon.

Lions players that clear their first three COVID-19 tests are expected to report to training camp for the first time on Saturday.