The Washington Redskins won a crucial game against the New York Giants on Monday night, but the team will be considerably weaker on defense going forward.
The NFL announced on Tuesday that defensive back Cedric Griffin was suspended for four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. It currently is unclear which substance he tested positive for.
Griffin is the team's starting nickelback and has played mostly at slot cornerback this season. On Monday night Griffin made five tackles in the 17-16 win over the Giants and has 33 tackles and one forced fumble this season. He has missed three games this year with a hamstring injury.
Griffin will likely be replaced in the secondary by rookie Richard Crawford, according to USA Today. Crawford has made 13 tackles this season, but hasn't registered one since Week 5 against the Falcons.
The seven-year pro from Texas was signed by the Redskins in the offseason to a one-year, $2.5 million contract after spending his first six years with the Minnesota Vikings. In his career, Griffin has 412 tackles, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions.
Griffin hasn't made an interception this season, but had a season-high seven tackles and one forced fumble against Pittsburgh on Oct. 28 and has had at least five tackles in four games this season.
The Redskins defense has been weak in the secondary all year, ranking 31st in the league with 299 yards per game. The Giants were able to move the ball well all night against the Redskins, gaining 273 yards through the air.
Griffin was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Texas, where he won a national championship in 2005 and was a star player. He spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and was one of the top defensive players on the team, leading the club in interceptions in 2009.
In 2010, Griffin only played in two games after injuring his right knee and was put on the season-ending injured reserve list after he was diagnosed with a torn ACL. He rehabbed and played in all 16 games last season with the Vikings, but the team cut him in March. In his final season in Minnesota he made 67 tackles, three forced fumbles and one interception.
The depth in the secondary will take a hit without Griffin, who has proved to be valuable for Washington on third downs this season.
Starting cornerback DeAngelo Hall injured his ankle in Monday night's game, although coach Mike Shanahan there were no serious injuries in the game, meaning Hall is likely to play next Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Washington has also dealt with the loss of safety Brandon Meriweather, who tore his ACL on Nov. 18 and was lost for the season. Other defensive injuries for the Redskins include defensive linemen Adam Carriker and Brian Orakpo.
The Redskins are 6-6 and are only one game behind the Super Bowl champion New York Giants for first place in the NFC East. The team has a home game against Baltimore on Sunday, followed by two road games at Cleveland and Philadelphia before finishing the season at home against Dallas.
Although the substance for Griffin hasn't been released yet, numerous NFL players have been suspended this season for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, including many for Adderall.
Seattle Seahawks starting cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner were recently suspended for taking the drug, with Sherman already scheduling an appeal.
New York Giants defensive backs Tyler Sash and Will Hill were suspended four-games for violating the policy this year, as were New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib, Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Joe Hawley, Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Eric Wright.
Giants running back Andre Brown was also suspended for Adderall this spring, but appealed his suspension and had it overturned.
