NFL News: Patriots RB LeGarette Blount Suspended Following DUI Arrest

New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was suspended for the first game of this season reportedly due to an arrest for marijuana possession last year.

USA Today said the league confirmed that Blount's suspension stemmed from his violation of the substance abuse policy. The report noted that the running back is still eligible to join all offseason and preseason practices prior to the start of his suspension.

In August last year, Blount was arrested along with Le'Veon Bell, who was his teammate in Pittsburgh then, for marijuana charges. Law enforcers reportedly found marijuana weighing about three-fourths of an ounce in Bell's car while the two were at a traffic stop.

A similar Yahoo Sports report discussed that Bell was slapped with a more serious charge of DUI as he was the driver of the vehicle when it was pulled over by the authorities. He was reportedly given a 15-month probation as his sentence.

It can be expected that Bell may also face a suspension, one that is more serious than what Blount got. Yahoo Sports noted that Bell already had a two-game suspension after he was issued the probation. There is still no official word from the NFL on what disciplinary action will be given to Bell.

Meanwhile, the prosecutors dropped Blount's charges last January in exchange for a 50-hour community service which he was supposed to have completed last Feb. 4, USA Today said.

It can be remembered the Steelers cut Blount from the team after he threw a tantrum over a lack of playing time and left the sideline during a game last November. After leaving the Steelers, USA Today added that Blount was able to re-sign with the Patriots and even won a Super Bowl ring.

Yahoo Sports said that this is definitely a bad way to start a season for Blount but it noted that his team certainly knows about the charges he faced and his possible corresponding sanctions. But it was noted that the running back was instrumental in the offense of the Patriots as he was able to rush 281 yards and three touchdowns during five regular-season games.

"He had 148 yards and three touchdowns in New England's AFC championship game win over the Indianapolis Colts," Yahoo Sports added.

Bleacher Report said that Blount's suspension for the opening game will be a big thing for the team but it noted that there are other running backs who can prove their worth with Blount's absence like Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden and James White.

The same article added that the running back situation in the team "has always been fluid" under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick.