National Football League

NFL announces 4-game suspension of Holmes

Published Apr. 12, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The newest Jets wide receiver will miss his first four games with his new team.

Santonio Holmes was suspended without pay by the NFL on Monday for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He is permitted to practice with the Jets, attend training camp and play in preseason games, but will miss the first four games of the regular season.

The suspension was first reported by ProFootballTalk.com on Saturday. Sources confirmed to FOXSports.com early Monday that Holmes' suspension is not due to the NFL's anabolic steroid policy, but rather a violation of the league drug restrictions.

The Jets traded a fifth-round pick to get Holmes on Sunday, in essence renting him for 12 games before making a decision on his future with the franchise.

"We understood that was part of it, but we just felt like even with that, it was worth it," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "Obviously, a guy with his production and at 26 years old, he would not have been available if these indiscretions didn't happen, and obviously the suspension. But, with that said, we just felt like the risk and the price was reasonable for us."

Unafraid lately to add players with checkered pasts, Tannenbaum said he, coach Rex Ryan and owner Woody Johnson had "a robust debate and robust discussions" before deciding to acquire Holmes.

"We're not going into this with our eyes closed," Tannenbaum said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.