Chargers DL Corey Liuget Suspended 4 Games For PED Violation

Ian Rapoport reports that Chargers DL Corey Liuget has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2018 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Statement from Liuget: 

“I made a mistake and take full responsibility. As part of my training program, I placed my trust in someone who, in hindsight, was not well-versed in the NFL’s policy on banned substances.  As players, we’re told time and again that the NFL holds you responsible for anything in your body.  Even if you take it accidentally, it’s on you.  Pretty cut and dry.  You hear it and think, ‘That won’t be me, that can’t possibly happen to me.’  Yet here I am, suspended four games.  And that’s my fault.  I apologize to our fans, my family and the entire Chargers organization. I hate that I won’t be able to be there for my teammates to start the season, but I will turn this into a positive. When my number is called, you can count on me being ready to answer that call.”

Statement from Chargers GM Tom Telesco:

“Even though Corey’s mistake was unintentional, he understands how disappointing this is for everyone in the organization. I’m pleased he has accepted responsibility on the matter, and we respect and support the League’s decision. We also support Corey. Few people have a bigger heart and have done more for the community. While nobody feels worse than Corey himself right now, we know he will bounce back from this.”

Liuget, 28, is a former first-round pick of the Chargers back in 2011. He’s currently in the fourth year of his six-year, $58.219 million contract that included $30.477 million guaranteed and set to make base salaries of $8 million and $7.5 million over the next two years of the agreement.

In 2017, Liuget appeared in 12 games for the Chargers and recorded 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 32 interior defender out of 122 qualifying players.