Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2019 NFL season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, according to reports.
First-time offenders typically get a four-game suspension, but the presence of a masking agent or diuretic to cover up the illegal substance in addition to the positive test results in a six-game suspension, per the league’s PED policy.
Peterson’s Pro Bowl streak will break at eight as the suspension makes him ineligible to participate this season. He will also lose about $3.8 million in salary for the six games he is sidelined.
He will be eligible to play in the Cardinals’ Oct. 20 visit to the New York Giants.