NFL News: Jets Brandon Copeland Supsended and More

It’s a rough week for New York Jets linebackers. Just a few days after losing Avery Williamson for the season with a torn ACL, the Jets found out they’d be without the services of Brandon Copeland for the first four games of the year after he was busted by the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy.

Copeland started 10 games and played in 16 for New York last season, recording 35 tackles, eight for a loss, two passes defended and five sacks. He was a free agent pick up last season after two years with the Detroit Lions. They signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Penn.

The linebacker discussed the ban on his Instagram Wednesday.

View this post on Instagram

God’s Plan > My Plan I’ve spent the better part of 28 years building and working on my legacy. This offseason, I began taking a supplement AFTER multiple verifications that it was safe for me to use. Unfortunately, this supplement was contaminated with a banned substance – NOT on its label. Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body. I’ve had a roller coaster ride of a career and all of my previous test results have been negative. I trust that the ppl who know my heart understand that I would never intentionally take a banned substance. To be quite honest, Im very fond of hard work and wouldn’t want success with the artificial help. Having to be away from my dream for something that was beyond my control will be tough for me however in similar fashion to how I handle other obstacles in my life I will approach this one with a “WATCH WHAT I DO WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY” mentality because my life dreams/missions still continue. Although I can NEVER make up for time loss on the field and away from my teammates who have become family, my team and I will be taking the necessary steps to rectify this situation to the fullest extent of the law. Understanding that God does not make mistakes, I will take this opportunity to thank Him for my blessings – the good, the bad and of course, the ugly. This is simply a chapter in my journey that is still being written. And as always, never let the obstacle become bigger than the OPPORTUNITY 🙏🏽

A post shared by Brandon Copeland (@bcope51) on Aug 21, 2019 at 1:50pm PDT

Copeland can return for the Jets’ Week 6 match up with the Dallas Cowboys. With him out, New York can take a solid look at third round pick Jachai Polite out of Florida at the spot.

TRANSACTIONS & NOTES

• Kevin White’s NFL career might be over, if it ever really counted as one at all. The former Chicago Bears first round pick was cut by the Arizona Cardinals Wednesday. Once again, he could never get healthy, this time with a hamstring.
• Christian Westerman isn’t retiring after all. The Cincinnati Bengals guard has decided his couch wasn’t that comfortable and has returned to the team.
• Former Ohio State quarterback turned wide receiver Braxton Miller will join the Cleveland Browns on a free agent contract. To open the roster spot, the team cut tight end Mik’Quan Dean.
• Wide receiver D’Mari Scott was waived by the New York Giants.
• Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will not suit up in Friday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
• The San Francisco 49ers brought in three free agents Wednesday, signing offensive lineman Andrew Lauderdale, wide receiver Chris Thompson and safety Tyree Robinson. In corresponding moves, they cut OL Christian DiLauro, running back Brandon Wilds and waived wideout Shaun Poindexter with an injury designation.
• Offensive tackle Brian Wallace was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks. To open the roster slot, they cut safety Jalen Harvey.
• Offensive lineman Tyler Jones and linebacker Dadi Nicolas were selected off waivers by the Denver Broncos. They cut fullback Orson Charles and placed Bug Howard and Horace Richardson on injured reserve.