NFL suspends Arizona Cardinals WR Zay Jones 5 games for personal conduct violation

Posted by Admin August 23, 2024 NFL

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Punishment comes after domestic abuse charge was dropped back in March

The NFL on Friday announced that Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones has been suspended without pay for the first five games of the 2024 season for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

The Cardinals signed Jones, 29, to a one-year, $2.25 million contract this offseason, and he was slated to be their No. 4 wideout behind rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch.

Jones, entering his eighth NFL season, was arrested in November and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly abusing the mother of his child and injuring her neck. The Florida state attorney’s office dropped the charge in March, but the NFL launched its own investigation into the matter, and it culminated with Friday’s announcement of the five-game suspension.

Jones is eligible for reinstatement Oct. 7 following the Cardinals’ Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

He spent the past two seasons with the Jaguars and played nine games in 2023, finishing with 34 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He was a second-round pick of the Bills in 2017 and also played for the Raiders.

In 104 career games, Jones has 287 receptions for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns. His best season came in 2022 with Jacksonville when he finished with a career-high 82 receptions and 823 yards with five touchdowns.

Before news of the suspension broke, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon was asked about Jones’ football IQ. It’s uncertain whether Gannon was aware of the suspension when he met with reporters Friday morning at the team’s Tempe training facility.

“Awesome,” he said of Jones’ football intellect. “There’s a reason he’s played at a high level on a couple different teams and a couple different offenses. He picks things up really quick, he understands the nuances of what needs to get done from the receiver position, he can play all three, he’s been fantastic.

“He’s been high, high football IQ.”

Jones’ suspension likely opens the door a little more for veterans Chris Moore and Zach Pascal to secure spots on the initial 53-man roster. It also gives more hope to rookie wideouts Tejhaun Palmer and Xavier Weaver, an undrafted rookie free agent, as well as four-year pro Dan Chisena.