As the Buccaneers fight for a spot in the NFC playoffs, they’re going to have to do it without starting cornerback Eric Wright.
More than a month after reports first surfaced that Wright was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Bucs coach Greg Schiano has confirmed that Wright’s suspension is starting today and will last the next four weeks.
Wright plans to offer a written statement on the matter soon. Like several other players who have been suspended for violations of the PED policy, Wright is expected to say that his violation was for taking the prescription medication Adderall without following the proper procedures. When players are suspended, the NFL does not confirm the specific substances they tested positive for.
After starting the first 10 games of the season, Wright missed Sunday’s loss to the Falcons with a sore Achilles tendon. He will sit out the next four weeks and then be eligible to return for Week 17 -- when the Bucs hope they’re still in playoff contention.