Bashaud Breeland’s suspension is still confusing in its presentation

Bashaud Breeland is expected to miss the Chiefs first four games with suspension.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to be without starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland for the first four games of the 2020 regular season due to a suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter.

Schefter’s report today clarifies the current status of Breeland in terms of that single substance abuse policy, but it still leaves the waters murky for the other aspects of Breeland’s offseason in place.

First, Breeland was supposedly going to appeal the suspension. Schefter’s report doesn’t note whether or not this is after the appeal has been heard. If not, Breeland might have his suspension reduced by a game or two, leaving the Chiefs in a much better condition to handle the early season games against the likes of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 or the New England Patriots in Week 4.

Second, Breeland was also arrested on misdemeanor charges from April that are still hanging overhead. Specifically, Breeland was charged with “resisting arrest, having alcohol in a motor vehicle with the seal broken, having an open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams of hash, and driving without a license.” However, the veteran corner insists he did nothing wrong and will fight to prove his innocence.

If Breeland is found guilty then that suspension could swell, but it’s impossible to say if things will even be resolved in time. Meanwhile the team has committed itself to waiting until anything is official before taking action.

Will Breeland really serve this full suspension? Has he already appealed? None of this is new information or, if it is, it’s not being presented in that light.