JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars wide receiver Ace Sanders has officially been suspended by the NFL for four games without pay for pay for violating the NFL's substance and abuse policy. He first disclosed the news to reporters on a conference call on Tuesday evening. The NFL confirmed the suspension on Wednesday.
"I'm taking full responsibility for all of my actions," said Sanders. "I am truly sorry for what has happened."
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Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley weighed in on the situation during an interview with jaguars.com.
"We've talked to Ace and said, 'When you come back from all of this we're going to welcome you with open arms and, 'Let's get back to work,' said Bradley. "We've talked to our guys about, 'You've got to get your world right, then the man becomes right.'
Sanders is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games but says he will leave the team while he deals with what he describes as "personal issues".
"I've decided to go seek help and get that attention," he said. "I should be fine."
Sanders is now the third Jaguars player suspended since October of 2013. Justin Blackmon is serving an indefinite suspension and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds missed four games during the 2013 season.
Sanders will also not appeal the 4-game suspension. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on Monday, September 29th. He can play October 5th when the Jaguars face the Pittsburgh Steelers.