The good news for Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux? Felony marijuana charges, including a charge of possession with intent to deliver, has been reduced by prosecutors to three misdemeanor possession counts.
The better news? By pleading no contest to one, the other two will be suspended and not prosecuted if Babineaux successfully completes a one-year probation period.
The bad news? He likely can expect at least a one-game suspension without pay, and possibly a one-game fine on top of it.
According to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, Babineaux entered the plea on Monday.
Recently, the league suspended Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill for one game without pay, and the league imposed a one-game fine on top of the suspension.
Babineaux was arrested in December 2009, after police found three bags of marijuana in his car. Three years ago, Babineaux was arrested for felony animal cruelty. Though the charges were dismissed, it’s possible that the NFL will regard the mere filing of the charges as an aggravating factor when deciding the specific amount of the discipline to be imposed.