On Thursday, the NFL suspended Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson for the first four games of the regular season due to a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Robinson’s suspension comes after more than two months of waiting for the punishment. In anticipation of the suspension, the Jaguars had signed veteran backup Josh Wells to a one-year deal in April and drafted Anton Harrison in the first round to help fill the void left by Robinson’s absence.
In a statement, Robinson expressed his regret and apologized to the fans, coaches, and teammates, acknowledging that his actions were not in line with being a veteran leader in the locker room.
The suspension will be without pay, resulting in Robinson losing approximately $900,000 per game. He is currently the highest-paid player on the Jaguars’ roster.
The team released a statement expressing their respect for the NFL’s ruling and disappointment with the situation. They assured their support for Robinson as he works through the suspension, expressing confidence in his ability to overcome the challenge.
During Robinson’s absence, second-round pick Walker Little is expected to step in as the starting left tackle when the Jaguars open their season against the Indianapolis Colts on September 10. Anton Harrison has primarily been working at right tackle during the team’s offseason program.
Robinson will be allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games. He can return to the team’s facility during the second half of his suspension and will be eligible to make his regular-season debut when the Jaguars face the Buffalo Bills in London on October 8.
The suspension also voids all remaining guarantees in Robinson’s three-year, $52.75 million contract that he signed last year. This leaves the Jaguars with the option to cut or trade Robinson without incurring additional salary-cap implications. However, it is more likely that they will reinstate Robinson as the starting left tackle upon his return and potentially move Walker Little to the left guard position, where he had experience during OTAs.
Robinson, a second-round pick from Alabama in 2017, has started 75 games over six seasons with the Jaguars. He missed the final five games of last season, including two playoff games, due to a meniscus tear in his right knee.
