Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson has been suspended for the second time this season for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse. Because it’s the third violation for Henderson, the mandatory suspension for marijuana is 10 games.
Initial word of the suspension leaked out on Thanksgiving, when Henderson wasn’t in attendance at the Bills practice. Turns out he was attending the birth of his son, according to NFL.com.
While Henderson has claimed he used marijuana as a treatment for his Crohn’s disease, which is perfectly legitimate, it is still a violation of NFL rules.
"There is zero allowable medical exemption for this per the NFL; however, there clearly should be," said Henderson’s agent at the time of his first suspension.
"He needs cannabis. You can't take pain killers with the way his intestines are,” a source told Ian Rapoport at the time of his first suspension.
Henderson has been dogged by marijuana problems since his time in college, when his recreational drug use cause him to plummet down draft boards. While many considered him a high-round talent, Buffalo snagged him in the seventh round.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of Rapoport’s report is that Henderson was the subject of speculation around the league’s trade deadline. That information was previously quiet and something where Bills fans might have a legitimate gripe.
“Teams such as the Vikings and Seahawks needed tackles, and Henderson was the top starter-quality player available at his position. Buffalo never found the right price, deciding to hold onto its swing tackle. Those other teams should be thankful for that now.”
Henderson is appealing his suspension and will get a final judgement this week.