For the second straight year, Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins will be suspended without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The Falcons announced the suspension. It’s a 10-game ban because Collins was suspended four games in 2016 for a PED violation.
“We are extremely disappointed that for the second straight season we are dealing with a suspension for Jalen,” Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said. “Such are the consequences when certain choices are made. Our decisions going forward will be based on what Dan and I feel is best for the team.”
A second-round pick in 2015, Collins returned from suspension and started six games for Atlanta after opening with the Falcons’ first unit in two games as a rookie. Collins started all three Falcons playoff games. He intercepted two passes and made 31 tackles during the regular season. The Falcons now have Desmond Trufant back healthy, along with well-compensated No. 2 corner Robert Alford.
Although he’s eligible to stay with the team throughout the preseason, Collins won’t be eligible to return to the Falcons until November 21. The 24-year-old defender has been working with Atlanta’s third team thus far during camp. The Falcons did not make any high-profile outside additions at corner this offseason.
Well Crap…