The NFL announced Thursday that Ravens NT Haloti Ngata has been suspended four games for violating the league’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs.
This will obviously cost him the remainder of the 2014 regular season and comes at a bad time seeing as the Ravens are still fighting for a playoff spot and Ngata has been a very important player to their defense.
“I made a mistake, and I own this,” Ngata said in a statement issued by the Ravens. “I took Adderall and take full responsibility for doing this. I am deeply sorry and broken up over this. I let down my family, my teammates, Ravens fans and myself. My hope is that the Ravens make the playoffs, and I believe they can do this. And, then I can come back and help us win.”
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome expressed his frustration to the news.
“This is disappointing news for the Ravens,” Newsome said. “We are disappointed with Haloti, but no more than he is with himself.”
Ngata, 30, still has two years remaining on his five-year, $61 million contract that included $37.1 million guaranteed. He carries a staggering $16 million cap figure for the 2014 season, so there is a chance that Baltimore could look to reduce that figure next year with an extension.
This season, Ngata has appeared in 12 games and recorded 32 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and seven pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 8 defensive end in a 3-4 system.
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