Rams' Fisher on Bailey's suspension: 'This is his last go-around'
Wide receiver Stedman Bailey is down to his final strike with the St. Louis Rams after he was suspended four games by the NFL on Monday for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
"A setback for us from an offensive standpoint. A setback from a special teams standpoint," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. "I've had numerous conversations with 'Sted' -- he understands that this is his last go-around. If he wants to flourish in this league and have a career in this league, he's gonna have to change his lifestyle."
Bailey, a third-year receiver out of West Virginia, also was suspended last year for a similar violation. His latest ban further depleted a passing game that ranks last in the NFL and led to the signing of veteran Wes Welker on Monday.
“Once you go in the testing program, if you have another violation, then you’re going to be subject to whatever the circumstances are. You can’t take it lightly," Fisher said. "He’s letting the team down and we’re going to miss him for four weeks, and hopefully he’ll learn from his choices.”
Bailey, who has 12 receptions for 183 yards in eight games, will be eligible to return to the active roster on Dec. 7. His suspension came one week after running back Trey Watts drew a four-game ban for the same violation.
"It’s been a problem here for us the last couple of weeks," Fisher said. "We’ve lost two pretty good players. We’ve got to do whatever we can to get that message across to them."
-
2024 NFL Draft odds: Vikings, Patriots are clear favorites to draft J.J. McCarthy
2024 NFL Draft safety rankings: Pac-12 prospects make up half of the top 10
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
-
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
Why is this year's QB draft class so valued? Hint: An underwhelming 2025 group
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
-
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.
-
2024 NFL Draft odds: Vikings, Patriots are clear favorites to draft J.J. McCarthy
2024 NFL Draft safety rankings: Pac-12 prospects make up half of the top 10
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
-
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
Why is this year's QB draft class so valued? Hint: An underwhelming 2025 group
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: How to watch, date, TV channel
-
2024 NFL free agency tracker: Signings, updates, best players available
2024 NFL Draft WR rankings: Marvin Harrison Jr. leads stacked top 10 prospects
NFL mock draft: Nick Wright has Bears pair Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr.