STATEMENT BY AN NFL SPOKESPERSON:
Ryan Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2019 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Smith is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the team September 30, following the team's Week 4 game at the Los Angeles Rams.
STATEMENT FROM BUCCANEERS GENERAL MANAGER JASON LICHT:
"We are disappointed that Ryan will be unavailable for the first four games of the season. We do extensive training and education for our players regarding the league's polices, but ultimately each individual is responsible for what they put in their bodies."