Buffalo Bills DT Phidarian Mathis suspended three video games by NFL

ORCHARD PARK – The NFL introduced Friday that Buffalo Bills defensive sort out Phidarian Mathis has been suspended for 3 video games for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy.

Mathis shall be eligible to play within the preseason, which begins for Buffalo Saturday afternoon at Highmark Stadium in opposition to the Carolina Panthers, however he is not going to be eligible to play in a regular-season sport till Sept. 28 in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mathis has been making a push for a roster spot all through coaching camp and it appeared as if he had the higher hand in a contest that additionally contains gamers reminiscent of DeWayne Carter, Zion Logue and rookie Zane Durant alongside the inside of the line of defense.

Mathis was a 2022 second-round draft decide of the Commanders who by no means discovered his area of interest in Washington’s protection. The Jets signed him to their observe squad on the finish of 2024 and spent the offseason and coaching camp in New York earlier than being launched on the finish of coaching camp.

The Bills signed him to the observe squad final September and he ultimately was referred to as as much as play six video games, throughout which he made 13 tackles.

Recently, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard was requested about Mathis’ efficiency in camp and he mentioned, “I’m impressed with his athleticism for that size. He’s big, he’s powerful but he’s a really good athlete. He’s got good feet, great practice habits, he runs to the football consistently day in and day out. Not all big guys do.”

Sal Maiorana has coated the Buffalo Bills for greater than 4 a long time together with 37 years because the full-time beat author/columnist for the D&C. He has written quite a few books concerning the historical past of the staff, and he’s additionally co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube present. He may be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you’ll observe him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.