The NFL announced Friday that Giants running back Andre Brown has been suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Brown spent the 2011 season on the practice squad. He was a fourth-round pick of the team in 2009, but spent his rookie year on injured reserve and got cut during training camp the next year. He spent time with the Panthers, Colts, Broncos and Redskins in 2010 before rejoining the Giants. He’s played in four games and picked up two carries with the Broncos.
With the Giants unsettled at running back behind Ahmad Bradshaw, Brown was thought to have a chance at earning a roster spot this summer. While he can still take part in offseason workouts, training camp and preseason games, this probably won’t help his cause on that front as the Giants will likely be adding other backfield possibilities who will be available for all 16 games.
Right now, they have Da’Rel Scott and D.J. Ware behind Bradshaw. It would be surprising if there wasn’t a name or two added to that mix via free agency and/or the draft.