Patriots lose another player because of PEDs
Make that two players in three weeks that the Patriots have lost due to suspension.
Jermaine Cunningham was caught using a performance-enhancing drug and was suspended for four games. Cunningham is the second Patriots player to be suspended for this recently, the first being Brandon Bolden.
According to a league source, Cunningham tested positive for Adderall, but the league itself does not release which test the player failed. Therefore, the player can say it was whatever substance they want. Adderall is a medication used to treat ADD or ADHD.
League rules state that if a player is documented as requiring the drug, and has a prescription, then he can use it without penalty. Without those things, he is subject to suspension for one failed test.
In place of Cunningham, the Patriots will likely give more playing time to veteran defensive end Trevor Scott.
“I don’t even know what’s going to happen as far as depth chart or whatever, but I’m definitely going to be ready,” Scott said.
Also out right now is Rob Gronkowski with a broken forearm and Julian Edelman after sustaining a concussion. With Cunningham’s suspension, it is another spot to fill, and another player who can hopefully stay on par with the rest of the regular Patriots players.
The good news is that Bolden comes back from his suspension next week. Bolden was a major player before his suspension.
We will see what happens with all of this on Sunday when the Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins. Until then, there is really no way to predict how these “spot-filling” players will do playing with the regulars.
