Aaron Lynch’s third NFL season will have to wait. The former San Francisco 49ers fifth round draft pick out of the University of South Florida has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Joining Lynch on the proverbial couch is Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams, who has been docked four games for the exact same thing.
Lynch’s loss should be a legitimate blow for the 49ers. He played in 14 games and started 13 last season, recording 40 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three passes defended.
”While disappointed to hear the news regarding Aaron today, we support and respect the league’s decision,” Trent Baalke, the 49ers’ general manager, said in a statement. ”We are confident that he will learn from this matter and that he understands what is expected of him moving forward.”
Aaron Lynch had more QB pressures last year (62) than all other #49ers OLBs combined (57).
— Jeff Deeney (jeffdeeney on Threads) (@PFF_Jeff) July 15, 2016
Lynch’s suspension will cost him games against the Los Angeles Rams, the Carolina Panthers, the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. He’ll still be able to participate in all of San Francisco’s offseason activities and preseason games.
Losing Williams for four games is less of a blow to the Bills. While he’s an important role player, especially in the red zone, the primary weapon in the backfield is LeSean McCoy. Last year Williams played in 11 games, started three and rushed 93 times for 517 yards and four touchdowns. He added 11 receptions for 96 yards and two scores.
It does present a problem for the Bills’ depth chart, especially with rookie running back Jonathan Williams getting busted for drunk driving in Fayetteville, Ark. on Thursday. Jonathan Williams failed a roadside sobriety test and was arrested. He’s been charged with driving will intoxicated and violation of implied consent law.
Karlos Williams is suspended, Jonathan Williams just got a DUI, and Shady is about to see his 2000th touch since '09 pic.twitter.com/c39UA7SZlT
— TJ Hernandez (@TJHernandez) July 17, 2016
Jonathan Williams, a fifth-round pick out of Arkansas, rushed 211 times for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Razorbacks in 2015. He also caught 11 passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns. In many ways he’s the exact same kind of power back as Karlos Williams so McCoy could be doing the heavy lifting for at least a month. The NFL has yet to announce any discipline for Jonathan Williams, but there’s no doubt some will come down, either this season or at the beginning of next season.
Agholor won’t face charges
While Karlos Williams and Aaron Lynch got bad news this week, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor literally received a “Get Out of Jail Free” card. Earlier this offseason Agholor was accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a stripper at the Cheerleaders club in South Philadelphia after practice.
In honor of Nelson Agholor not catching any charges, here's him catching a body in High School. #HeGotBounce https://t.co/vnz9SqIQy2
— Jalen Hurts (@TheOregonEagles) July 15, 2016
According to Philly.com, Agholor will not be charged with any crime.
Last year Agholor started 12 games for the Eagles, catching 23 passes for 283 yards and a touchown. Agholor was a first round pick out of USC in 2015.
Robinson will face charges, kind of
After falling asleep at the wheel and driving him and his girlfriend into a pond, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson appeared to get off Scott free. Instead he’ll actually face a little punishment, with Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams giving him a ticket for careless driving. Yes. A ticket.
“The decision to have a citation issued for careless driving was made by the Sheriff after his review of the reports,” a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s department said. “Mr. Robinson should have been issued a citation that night, because he lost control of his vehicle.”
So take that Denard. Steer clear of those big turkey dinners before road trips if you know what’s good for you.
Turbin busted after Russell Wilson’s wedding
More happened after Russell Wilson and Ciara’s wedding than just their painfully awkward religiously-frowned upon sex, Indianapolis Colts running back Robert Turbin was busted for marijuana possession just a couple of days later in Logan City, Utah of all places.
Turbin, along with Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, both served as groomsmen for Wilson at his London, England wedding. How Turbin could end up getting busted for pot on the exact other side of the Earth two days later is something Leonard Nimoy would have investigated on In Search Of…
Turbin, formally of the Seahawks, spent last season with the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys. He rushed for 199 yards and one touchdown.
