Vontaze Burfict's 4-Game PED Suspension Official After Appeal Denied

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict will officially be out the first four games of the season after his suspension appeal was denied by the NFL, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. 

Burfict reportedly violated the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, stemming from a drug test that took place on Dec. 27, per Schefter. He argued that he was on prescribed medication stemming from a concussion and a Grade 3 shoulder AC sprain that he suffered that month, but the suspension was upheld.

This will be the third straight season the linebacker will start the year on the sidelines due to a suspension, although the causes have been different.

Burfict was also suspended for the first three games of 2016 for "repeated violations of safety-related playing rules." Last season, an illegal hit on Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman in the preseason led to an initial five-game suspension that was eventually reduced to just three games.

He also earned an ejection in last season's Week 10 game against the Titans.

"He has to understand. I've pointed it out in those situations," head coach Marvin Lewis said after the game, per the team's official site. "Sometimes what happens, you push back and it's the official. You can't do that. He knows better. We pay a price, we pay a price because he hurts us when it's on the field that way, and then he's not on the field, so both ways."

The 27-year-old hasn't played a full season since 2012 when he earned his only Pro Bowl appearance.

On the field, Burfict has been a key part of the Bengals defense. He finished last season fifth on the team in tackles despite only playing 10 games and ranked second with 101 tackles in 2016 even with only 11 games played.

His effort was enough for him to earn a three-year extension which keeps him on the roster through 2020. Per Spotrac, he has a cap hit of more than $8 million in each of the next three seasons.

However, the inability to stay on the field due to either injuries or suspensions has become a problem. The newly added Preston Brown will have to take on a bigger role in the middle of the defense with Burfict out.