Rams RB Isaiah Pead Reportedly Suspended Week 1 for Substance Abuse Violation

The St. Louis Rams will reportedly be without running back Isaiah Pead for the first game of the 2013 season. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pead has been suspended for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. 

According to Howard Balzer, the Rams also face a $8,434.56 fine:

"

Rams now face a fine for having multiple players suspended in one year. According to league rules, the fine would be $8,434.56.

— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) May 31, 2013"

The Rams open up their schedule on Sept. 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. Pead will be allowed to participate in all preseason and offseason activities and will return to the active roster in Week 2. 

The list of substances banned by the league is long and substantial. However, the policy does not allow the league to announce what substance Pead took to bring about the punishment, so it will be up to him and his team to divulge those details. 

Pead, who was selected by the Rams with the 50th overall selection in the 2012 draft, rushed for 54 yards on just 10 carries as a rookie last season.

The Rams enter the 2013 season with a largely unproven backfield this offseason after Steven Jackson's departure to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Pead will see competition for carries in the form of the Rams' second-leading rusher Daryl Richardson, who ran for 475 yards on 98 carries last season. 

St Louis also drafted Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy with the 160th pick in the 2013 draft and has second-year back Terrance Ganaway on the roster. 

After a disappointing rookie season, Pead was expected to be a significant part of the rushing attack this season. Now, he will apparently be forced to wait until Week 2 to make his presence known.