EARTH CITY, Mo. -- For the second time in less than a week, the NFL has suspended a St. Louis Rams skill position player for violating its policy on substance abuse.
This time, it's third-year wide receiver Stedman Bailey, who received a four-game suspension Tuesday afternoon, the league announced. Bailey will join running back Trey Watts on the team's reserve/suspended list after Watts received an indefinite suspension last week for violating the same policy.
For Bailey, this is his second suspension in as many seasons. The league suspended him four games for violating the policy on performance-enhancing substances before the 2014 season. That suspension was later reduced to two games after a change in the league's policy.
Bailey has been the Rams' third receiver for most of this season but rarely has been involved in the offense. He had 12 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games.
ESPN's Adam Caplan reported Monday morning that the Rams were planning to work out veteran receivers Wes Welker, Hakeem Nicks and Vincent Brown, presumably with an eye toward replacing Bailey on the roster.
Bailey is eligible to return to the active roster on Dec. 7 after the Rams' game against the Arizona Cardinals.
