Markus Bailey Suspended Six Games by NFL

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Bailey has been suspended for six games due to a violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy. While Bailey accepted the suspension, he insists he did not knowingly ingest any banned substances, attributing the issue to a contamination concern with only trace amounts detected. His lawyer criticized the NFL's strict liability policy, which does not allow for leniency in cases of inadvertent ingestion, a stance that Bailey echoes. The suspension means Bailey will be out of action until at least January 5, 2024, and will not be eligible to be elevated from the practice squad until Week 18. Having played only one game this season, Bailey has a history with the Bengals, where he contributed to their Super Bowl run in 2021. His current contract with Arizona is a one-year deal for $340,322, signed after he initially tested the free agency market.