Justin Gilbert Reportedly Suspended 1 Year for Violating Substance Abuse Policy

Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert has reportedly received a one-year suspension from the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

ESPN's Adam Schefter later confirmed the news.

Gilbert is currently a free agent after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in February.

The 25-year-old picked up a four-game suspension in May after a failed drug test and now has a much more severe punishment after a second mistake just a month later.

He will need to apply for reinstatement before returning to the NFL.

Gilbert was the Browns' No. 8 overall pick in the 2014 draft but struggled mightily in his first two seasons, only making two starts. He was then traded to the Steelers in 2016 for just a sixth-round pick.

While he appeared in 12 games, he made little impact and still only has one career interception in three years in the league.

Based on his struggles on the field and his problems off it—including both failed drug test and other incidents—it will be difficult for the former first-round pick to find a new home in the NFL.