CB Fabian Washington suspended for first regular season game
Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington has been suspended by the NFL for the first game of the regular season for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. He will miss Baltimore's Sept. 7 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The suspension was handed down as a result of Washington's February arrest on a domestic battery charge. The 25-year-old was arrested after police were called to his house in Manatee County, Fla., and noticed a red mark on the neck of Washington's 21-year-old live-in girlfriend.
Washington claimed the altercation did not get physical and pleaded not-guilty to the charge. His girlfriend said that she did not want Washington prosecuted for the misdemeanor.
Washington will avoid prosecution for the charge as long as he completes a program for first-time offenders.
"I put myself in a bad situation, and I did not handle it the right way," Washington said in a statement. "I was wrong and made a mistake. My girlfriend, my attorney and I wanted a quick resolution and knew that a suspension could happen."
The Ravens acquired the former Nebraska Cornhusker in April from the Oakland Raiders for a fourth-round draft pick. Washington, who was a starter his first two seasons in Oakland, is expected to battle Samari Rolle for a starting cornerback spot. Rolle has not yet reported to training camp because he is dealing with the death of his father.
"We had knowledge of Fabian's situation prior to the trade we made for him," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "Based on the NFL's personal conduct policy, and Fabian's agreement with the authorities, we knew that a suspension was a possibility. Fabian knows his actions were a mistake and has taken appropriate actions since then."
Washington can participate in all preseason practices and games. His suspension begins on Saturday, August 30, and he is eligible to return to the Ravens' active roster on Monday, September 8.
Hopefully this doesn't mean that our Secondary gets torched in the Season Opener like last year and maybe our QB (whoever it is) won't pull a McNair and cough up a ton of Turnovers.