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Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has been suspended one game for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and will miss the regular-season opener against the Titans. The team issued a statement Friday.
"Dwayne has been given a one-game suspension by the National Football League. We are disappointed in the situation and will miss him on the field, but we support the league’s decision. The club will have no further comment on the matter."
Back in November, Bowe was arrested on speeding and marijuana possession charges, and according to Yahoo.com's Rand Getlin, that arrest is related to this suspension.
Hearing #Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe will be suspended by the NFL for one game in relation to a marijuana possession arrest from last year.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) August 15, 2014
Bowe had a disappointing 2013 season, ranking 61st in WR efficiency, according to Football Outsiders' metrics, including a catch rate of just 55 percent. He has struggled in training camp, too, though that has been blamed on an injured finger.
“Dwayne Bowe has been out here and his finger is shot,” coach Andy Reid said, via the Kansas City Star. “It’s been thrown out of place about 15 times, so now he’s not catching the ball but he’s getting his work done. You can practice with that kind of thing.”
Now it appears Bowe, who was suspended four games in 2009. will have an extra week for his finger to heal.
And if a one-game absence wasn't punitive enough, the language in Bowe's contract makes this a very costly mistake, according to CBSSports.com contributor and former NFL agent Joel Corry.
It's now a little easier for KC to cut Dwayne Bowe. His $8.75M & $1.5M '14 & '15 base salary guarantees void because of his suspension.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) August 15, 2014
Bowe recorded just 57 catches for 673 yards in the first year of Andy Reid's Chiefs regime.