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Cleveland Browns WR Antonio Callaway is being suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy:
Sources: #Browns WR Antonio Callaway is being suspended 4 games for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He had been appealing this ruling. This may party explain why he’s been running with the reserves.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2019
While many thought this was tied to a marijuana citation from August 2018, but it would seem this is actually for a separate, unreported incident:
On #Browns WR Antonio Callaway's suspension: Sources say it is for a separate violation of the substance abuse policy, unrelated to his citation for marijuana possession last year. Got my signals crossed on that. Deleted earlier tweets to avoid confusion. Apologies for the error.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 9, 2019
For the Los Angeles Rams, this means the Browns will be without their WR3 in Week 3 when we head to Ohio to greet them on Sunday Night Football. While WR Odell Beckham Jr.’s presence might squeeze Callaway’s targets this year, Callaway was a very productive rookie last year with 79 targets, 43 receptions, 586 receiving yards and five touchdowns playing in all 16 games.
It’s a troubling development for Callaway who has had numerous off-field issues . His off-field flags include a sexual assault allegation that was ultimately dismissed, marijuana possession and credit card fraud...and that was just during his time at Florida before having a diluted drug test at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. Callaway dropped to the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft before the aforementioned marijuana citation in August. This would seem to be yet another incident for a talented player that just can’t get right away from the field.