Chiefs news: Jerrion Ealy suspended six games by NFL

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Jerrion Ealy has been suspended by the National Football League for violating the performance enhancing drug policy.

The National Football League has suspended Kansas City Chiefs running back/wide receiver Jerrion Ealy a total of six games, per the league’s transaction wire. The suspension is for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.

Ealy was one of the more heralded rookie free agents to sign with the team following the first-year player draft at the end of April. Talented running backs can typically be found in the draft’s late rounds or thereafter (look at Isiah Pacheco in the seventh), and the Chiefs liked what they saw in the high level of production of Ealy while at Ole Miss.

Despite the buzz coming into camp, Ealy was unable to make the leap from priority free agent to active roster, but it spoke of the Chiefs’ belief in him that he earned a spot on the team’s practice squad. He’s been there ever since the season began and given the roster health and makeup at this point, it’s hard to imagine Ealy is going to get a real chance anytime soon. That means this suspension is likely to pass without any on-field impact for K.C.

That said, Ealy now faces questions about his personal habits and it could make future roster decisions easier for the Chiefs. For now, the team is able to place him on a suspended list and clear another spot, which subsequently went to free agent wide receiver Marcus Kemp. The longtime Chiefs wideout was in town for a free agent visit over the weekend, so this move has likely been in the works for a while.