Rams WR Stedman Bailey Suspended 4 Games
The St. Louis Rams may have to kick off the 2014 NFL season a little under manned on offense. According to reports, second-year wide receiver Stedman Bailey will receive a four-game suspension to start the season due to violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy.
St. Louis has reportedly known about Bailey’s looming suspension for “several months” but still went through the entire 2014 NFL Draft without drafting a single wide receiver. Bailey’s absence for the first four games could help veteran receiver Kenny Britt lock down a roster spot, and could also allow other young talent such as Brian Quick to get involved in the offense early on.
It’s a minor blow to the offense considering Bailey wasn’t expected to be a starter in 2014, but the talented former West Virginia product was hoping to at least compete for a bigger role. Unfortunately, due to the suspension, even a good showing in camp and preseason play might not guarantee him a role in the passing game once he returns to the field in week six.
Had Bailey been completely ready to go for the 2014 season, he could have had a good chance at beating out the likes of Kenny Britt, Brian Quick and Austin Pettis.
Wide receivers Tavon Austin and Chris Givens are locked in currently as the Rams’ top two wide receivers, while Austin Pettis at least for now is the number three receiver. Due to the missed time, Bailey may need an injury during the season to have a realistic chance of making a strong impact in his second season.
Bailey wasn’t amazing as a rookie in 2013, but did start two games at the end of the year and finished with 17 receptions for 226 receiving yards. While Bailey showed enough late last year to warrant a shot at a bigger role, he’ll be fighting an uphill battle all year to actually make it happen.
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