Buccaneers CB Ryan Smith suspended four games for PEDs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ryan Smith has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s PED policy, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Wednesday.

#Bucs CB Ryan Smith was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2019 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 10, 2019

Originally a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina Central in 2016, Smith has been a key defensive back for the Bucs the past couple of seasons. He appeared in 31 games from 2017-18, starting 16, while tallying 100 tackles and one interception.

The Bucs issued a statement after the news of the suspension broke:

Bucs say Ryan Smith's four-game suspension is for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. "We are disappointed that Ryan will be unavailable for the first four games of the season," GM Jason Licht said in a statement. /cont.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 10, 2019

More Jason Licht statement on Ryan Smith suspension: "We do extensive training and education for our players regarding the league's policies, but ultimately each individual is responsible for what they put in their bodies."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 10, 2019

Tampa Bay’s defensive backfield was already an area of weakness before this suspension. With Smith out of commission the first four games of the season, it will be tested all the more to open the 2019 campaign.