Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspended for violating substance policy

ByRich Cimini ESPN logo
Wednesday, March 15, 2017

New York Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been suspended two games by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy, the league announced Wednesday.

This stems from a DUI arrest last September in Tampa while he was playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They cut him immediately and he was claimed on waivers by the Jets.

Seferian-Jenkins, 24, became the second Jets player in eight days to be suspended. Wide receiver Jalin Marshall was hit with a four-game ban for a PED violation, as he tested positive for Adderall.

The suspension will cost Seferian-Jenkins two game checks -- $124,892. By rule, he's allowed to practice with the team and play in preseason games, which means he's eligible to receive his $75,000 offseason workout bonus.

Seferian-Jenkins reached a plea deal last month in Hillsborough (Florida) County Court, but he still was subject to league discipline.

He entered a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of reckless driving. Initially, he pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge.

Seferian-Jenkins was stopped for speeding and driving erratically Sept. 23, according to the Florida Highway Patrol arrest report. He was clocked at 75-80 mph in a 55 mph zone. In addition to the DUI, he was charged with a violation of an ignition interlock device restriction, stemming from a 2013 arrest.

An embarrassing dash-cam video surfaced in the aftermath of the arrest. In the video, Seferian-Jenkins made off-color remarks while in the back of the police cruiser.

Seferian-Jenkins had 13 catches for 154 yards and 1 touchdown in 2016. He accounts for $1.1 million on the Jets' salary cap.