The Rams are going to be without one of their projected starting linebackers for the first four games of the season.
The NFL announced that Jo-Lonn Dunbar has been suspended for four games for violating the league policy on performance enhancing drugs. Dunbar will be allowed to practice for the rest of the summer and play in preseason games, but he’ll be out of action in the regular season until after the Rams play the 49ers on September 26.
Dunbar was expected to be one of the team’s starting outside linebackers along with rookie Alec Ogletree, but the Rams gave themselves some insurance when they signed veteran Will Witherspoon as a reserve. Witherspoon will likely move into the starting lineup now, which will hurt St. Louis’ depth but at least gives them an experienced option on one side while Ogletree transitions to the professional game.
Dunbar joins running back Isaiah Pead as members of the team suspended for the first week of the season.