Back in June, months after the Browns had already cut ties with 2014 first-round pick Johnny Manziel, the NFL suspended the quarterback for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
At that point it was clear that Manziel faced much bigger issues than football, and it was no surprise that he wasn't signed to an NFL roster in the weeks and months that followed. Even still, after Sunday's slate of games Manziel is technically available to play because his four-game suspension will be over.
And as you may have heard, there are other big-name players set to return to their respective teams on Monday:
- Patriots QB Tom Brady: Played some role (or maybe he didn't) in the Deflategate silliness.
- Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich: Tested positive for a banned substance.
- Bills DL Marcell Dareus: Violation of the league's substance-abuse policy; in August, Dareus entered rehab.
- 49ers LB Aaron Lynch: Violation of the league's substance-abuse policy; he and Ahmad Brooks led the team in sacks last season with 6.5.
In case you're curious, we heard from Manziel two weeks ago; he was in Los Angeles talking about the Browns' already-precarious quarterback situation.
Brady, meanwhile, is back from what appears to be a relaxing Italian vacation, and we fully expect he'll spend the next three months repaying those who he feels have wronged him.
