After being away from the team for much of the offseason and all of training camp, Mike Goodson returned to the Jets on Monday and was suspended for the first four games of the season by the NFL. Goodson was arrested during the offseason on drug and gun charges and the NFL suspended him for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, according to a release from the Jets.
The Jets signed Goodson in March and he was arrested in May after police found him and another man stopped in an SUV on Route 80. Both men were reportedly intoxicated, and while transporting him to the hospital police allegedly found marijuana in Goodson's possession. A handgun and hollow-point bullets were reportedly found in Goodson's vehicle.
Goodson said he was away from the team to "take care of some important personal things" in a statement released by the team. The Jets placed the 26-year-old running back on the Active/Non-Football Injury/Illness list. Goodson will be allowed to attend meetings and work out individually at the team facility during the suspension. He will not be allowed to practice with the team.
In the statement, the Jets said they welcome Goodson back to the team and have had discussions with him to "make our expectations very clear as we work together to help him move forward in a positive manner, both on and off the field."
Goodson will be eligible to return on Sept. 30, the Monday following New York' fourth regular season game.
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