Vikings running back suspended by the NFL for substance abuse

Minnesota Vikings running back Roc Thomas has been suspended for three games by the NFL for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced about Minnesota Vikings running back Roc Thomas being arrested after police raided his apartment in Mendota Heights and found five ounces of marijuana and other items inside.

Since then, things had been rather quiet regarding the subject as the team or the league hadn’t stepped in with any sort of discipline. However, with training camp and big decisions coming in terms of the 53-man roster, action had to be taken soon.

Today, Andrew Krammer revealed on Twitter that the running back has been suspended for three games based on that arrest. Here is his tweet:

This suspension makes the situation regarding his future with the Minnesota Vikings even more cloudy. With Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and C.J. Ham and seeming like locks to make the final squad, it will be interesting to see if the team brings along more than one additional running back with the favorite to be the one would be Mike Boone and he would still have to compete with Ameer Abdullah

Since players who are suspended do not count against the team’s roster cap, the squad could sneak him on the 53 for three weeks and then release him, hoping to have him latch on to the practice squad. Then, they could elevate him to the main roster if they need him.

Or it could be possible that the team parts ways with Thomas any time leading up to the start of the regular season. However, considering this isn’t one of the more severe infractions a player can have in the league, a reaction like that may be a bit harsh.

Thomas played in five games for the Vikings last year where he gained 30 yards on eight rushing attempts and catching two passes for 21 more yards. His story will be an interesting one to watch as Minnesota Vikings training camp and preseason approaches.