Nigel Bradham marijuana ticket could subject him to suspension

Buffalo Bills starting linebacker Nigel Bradham could be subject to a suspension by the NFL after being issued an appearance ticket for marijuana possession on Saturday morning. The Tonawanda News had the report first.

Bradham was pulled over just after 2:00 in the morning following Buffalo's preseason victory Friday night. He was issued a ticket for unlawful window tint - the original reason he was pulled over - in addition to the drug citation. The officer asked Bradham twice if he had any drugs after he smelled a strong odor of marijuana.

"(He) opened a center glove compartment and handed me a zip lock baggy," the police report states. "I asked (Bradham) what was in the zip lock bag and he stated 'marijuana.'"

It may be a minor offense in the eyes of the courts - the police weren't able to detain him, after all - but the league doesn't look kindly on drug arrests. Here is the discipline language from the Collective Bargaining Agreement:

"A player will normally be subject to discipline up to and including suspension without pay for four regular and/or post-season games for a first violation of the law related to substances of abuse other than alcohol..."

Despite it being his first offense and not the result of an NFL test, Bradham could ultimately be subject to suspension this season. He likely won't see a judge in the next two weeks, but he could face Roger Goodell sooner than that. The commissioner could keep Bradham from playing in a quarter of Buffalo's schedule this season with relative ease.

The Bills responded to media requests for a statement simply saying, "We are still in the process of gathering the facts surrounding this report and will reserve comment until we have completed that process.”