NFL is suspending Ravens RB Ray Rice for the first two games this season, per sources. The suspension is expected to be announced today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2014
Ray Rice’s suspension begins Aug. 30, eligible for reinstatement Sept. 12. Also will be fined additional $58,000 on top of 2-game suspension
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2014
It is no surprise that Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been wondering what kind of suspension Ray Rice might receive for his issues off the field that saw the Baltimore Ravens running back arrested this past offseason.
Early reports via Twitter have now been confirmed, by ESPN's Adam Schefter, that Rice will be seeing a two game suspension to begin the 2014 NFL season.
The two games Rice will miss will be against AFC North competition. The running back will miss a week one matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and a week two tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the first time in his NFL career that Rice has not suited up against the Steelers.
Rice is coming off the most disappointing season since entering the NFL, from a production standpoint. In 2013, Rice rushed for a measly 660 yards with only four touchdowns. All while averaging a 3.1 yards per carry total. Rice was hampered with lower body injuries that kept him out of the lineup at times, and ineffective while in the lineup.
Speculation will continue regarding whether Rice's punishment was harsh enough considering his arrest and other suspensions that can draw comparisons. Nonetheless, Ravens fans now know the fate of their Pro Bowl running back, and his absence won't be as long as once expected.