Jets TE Chris Herndon suspended four games for violating NFL's substance abuse policy

Jets tight end Chris Herndon has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s policy and program on substance abuse, the league announced Friday.

According to the NFL, Herndon is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. The second-year player will miss games against the Bills, Browns, Patriots and Eagles. He will be eligible to return to the Jets’ active roster on Oct. 7 after the team’s Week 5 game in Philadelphia on Oct. 6. The Jets have a bye in Week 4.

Herndon pleaded guilty in a New Jersey court on Jan. 9 to driving while intoxicated, stemming from an accident on June 2, 2018. According to New Jersey State Police, Herndon crashed his Nissan Armada into a Toyota Land Cruiser that was transporting another vehicle on Interstate 80 West in Rockaway Township. Herndon wasn’t injured in the accident and practiced a few days later at an organized team activity. He said then that the incident did not reflect the type of person he is.

Herndon paid a fine of $639 and had his license revoked in New Jersey for 90 days, a Rockaway Township court spokesman said.

According to NFL Network, Herndon received a four-game suspension rather than two games because a woman at the scene of the crash said she was injured. Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to lengthen a suspension depending on the circumstances.

Five weeks before the incident, Herndon, 23, was a fourth-round pick out of Miami in the 2018 draft. He built good chemistry with rookie quarterback Sam Darnold and played in 16 games as a rookie, making 12 starts. He finished second on the team in catches (39), receiving yards (502) and touchdowns (four).

The other tight ends on the Jets’ roster are Daniel Brown, Eric Tomlinson and rookie Trevon Wesco.

 With Al Iannazzone and AP