The Sports Network reports that Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes Tuesday was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The league does not reveal reasons for substance abuse suspensions. Rhodes pleaded guilty to reckless driving charges in Indiana during the offseason after authorities dropped drunken driving charges. The suspension will begin August 31, which is the day after the Raiders’ last exhibition game, and he will regain eligibility to return on October 1 after their season’s fourth game against Miami.
According to the The Oakland Tribune, Rhodes was pulled over in February by an Indiana state trooper for speeding. He was originally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. Rhodes pleaded guilty to reckless driving in March, getting sentenced to 180 days in jail, however 178 of those were suspended and he received credit for two days.