Kenneth Dixon Suspended 4 Games for PED Policy Violation

The Baltimore Ravens announced Thursday the NFL suspended running back Kenneth Dixon for the first four games of the 2017 regular season after he violated the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

The team posted a statement from Dixon:

Dixon's suspension adds more perspective to the Ravens' decision to add 32-year-old running back Danny Woodhead, which the team announced Thursday.

With Woodhead in the fold, the Ravens won't have to scramble to find another backup to Terrance West with Dixon to miss a quarter of next year.

Dixon's PED violation follows an underwhelming rookie season.

Baltimore selected him 134th overall in the 2016 draft, and Pro Football Focus' Gordon McGuinness listed the 23-year-old as one of the more underrated Day 3 picks.

Dixon didn't debut until Week 5 after an MCL tear kept him out of action for Baltimore's first four games. In 12 appearances, he ran for 382 yards and two touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded him the 24th-best running back (72.4).

Dixon's suspension shouldn't put his future in Baltimore in jeopardy, but it's undoubtedly a setback as he looks to justify the hype that surrounded him this time last year.