The Jets are losing another linebacker to start the season.
Brandon Copeland has been suspended four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, according to ESPN. The Jets had already lost Avery Williamson to a season-ending ACL injury, which he suffered earlier this month during New York’s second preseason game.
Copeland will be allowed to practice and participate in his team’s final two preseason games, but he won’t be able to return to the roster until Oct. 7 after the regular season starts.
After the suspension was announced, Copeland revealed on Instagram that he took a supplement that “was contaminated with a banned substance,” but it wasn’t listed on the label.
“Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body. I’ve had a roller coaster ride of a career and all of my previous test results have been negative,” Copeland wrote, in part. “This is simply a chapter in my journey that is still being written. And as always, never let the obstacle become bigger than the OPPORTUNITY.”
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God’s Plan > My Plan I’ve spent the better part of 28 years building and working on my legacy. This offseason, I began taking a supplement AFTER multiple verifications that it was safe for me to use. Unfortunately, this supplement was contaminated with a banned substance – NOT on its label. Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body. I’ve had a roller coaster ride of a career and all of my previous test results have been negative. I trust that the ppl who know my heart understand that I would never intentionally take a banned substance. To be quite honest, Im very fond of hard work and wouldn’t want success with the artificial help. Having to be away from my dream for something that was beyond my control will be tough for me however in similar fashion to how I handle other obstacles in my life I will approach this one with a “WATCH WHAT I DO WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY” mentality because my life dreams/missions still continue. Although I can NEVER make up for time loss on the field and away from my teammates who have become family, my team and I will be taking the necessary steps to rectify this situation to the fullest extent of the law. Understanding that God does not make mistakes, I will take this opportunity to thank Him for my blessings – the good, the bad and of course, the ugly. This is simply a chapter in my journey that is still being written. And as always, never let the obstacle become bigger than the OPPORTUNITY 🙏🏽
A post shared by Brandon Copeland (@bcope51) on
Copeland, who re-signed with the Jets on a one-year deal in free agency, is coming off his best year as he finished with a career-high five sacks.
With both Copeland and Williamson out, the Jets will have to rely on starter Jordan Jenkins and backups Frankie Luvu and Tarell Basham.
