Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson suspended for violating NFL's drug policy

The Arizona Cardinals confirmed Thursday afternoon that star cornerback Patrick Peterson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2019 NFL regular season for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

"Patrick recognizes how disappointing this is for everyone in the organization as well as our fans," the Cardinals said in a statement. "As we all do, he understands that regardless of intent he is ultimately responsible for everything he puts in his body. Our coaching staff and our players are now aware that we will have to play the first six games without Patrick and they understand they have to rise to the challenge that it presents."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning that Peterson had been suspended. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted the suspension includes four games for using a banned substance and two games for using a masking agent to conceal the substance. Garafolo also reported that the Cardinals, as well as Peterson's teammates, were already aware of the impending suspension.

Peterson has been unhappy with the Cardinals on multiple occasions within the last year. In October, he requested a trade before announcing his commitment to the team just a few days later. Last month, he deleted all mentions of the Cardinals on his social media pages in another reported rift with team management.

John Gambadoro with Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reported Peterson's recent discontent with the team stemmed from knowing he was going to lose money due to his upcoming suspension, and the Cardinals refused to rework his contract in a way that would minimize those losses.

Schefter reported Peterson's suspension will cost him nearly $4 million. Peterson believed he could save at least $2 million with a reworked contract, according to Gambadoro.

Peterson will miss four of the Cardinals' eight home games this season, as the Cards will host the Detroit Lions on Sept. 8, the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 22, the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 29 and the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 13. Peterson will also miss two road games, as the Cardinals will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 15 and the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 6.

Peterson will be eligible to return to the team on Oct. 14 and will be eligible to play in the Cardinals' game at the New York Giants on Oct. 20. He will also be allowed to participate in all Cardinals preseason games and practices. Go here for the Cardinals' complete 2019 schedule.

The news of Peterson's suspension comes on the same day that the 4th Annual Patrick Peterson Celebrity Golf Tournament is set to begin in the Valley.

The 28-year-old Peterson was a star at LSU and was selected by the Cardinals with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He is a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection and has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of his eight NFL seasons.

Peterson has never missed a game as a pro.