Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Peterson dropped an appeal of his suspension and released a statement Thursday.
“That’s why this is very very hard for me, because, obviously, I’ve never been in this situation before and never wanted to have my name attached to anything like this,” Peterson said. “But I’m looking to move forward and put this behind me.”
“Patrick recognizes how disappointing this is for everyone in the organization as well as our fans,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “As we all do, he understands that regardless of intent he is ultimately responsible for everything he puts in his body. Our coaching staff and our players are now aware that we will have to play the first six games without Patrick and they understand they have to rise to the challenge that it presents.”
Peterson is eligible to participate in offseason and preseason practices and games. He will miss the season opener against the Lions and additional games against the Race s, Panthers and Seahawks. He will be able to return Oct. 20 against the Giants.
In his career Peterson has appeared in all 128 games. He had also appeared in the Pro- Bowl for all eight of his seasons. That steak will end this year as the NFL does not allow suspended players to earn awards or Pro-Bowl honors.
