By Mike Triplett | ESPN Staff Writer
METAIRIE, La. -- Fresh off the best season of his NFL career -- and heading into the final year of his contract -- New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has been suspended four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Ingram, 28, will miss games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants. He will be eligible to return to the Saints' active roster on Monday, Oct.
1. Ingram will be eligible to participate in all offseason practices and preseason games.
The veteran running back is scheduled to earn a base salary of $4 million in the final year of his contract, meaning he will forfeit nearly $1 million -- and possibly more in bonus money -- by missing the four games. The suspension could prove even more costly if he was angling for a lucrative contract extension before the season kicked off.
In the meantime, second-year pro Alvin Kamara will take on an even bigger role in the Saints offense after being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Ingram and Kamara made league history in 2017 by becoming the first backfield teammates to each surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage.
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Related:
- Washington Post: Saints' Mark Ingram suspended four games for PEDs
- Sun Herald: New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram suspended
- USA Today: Saints Pro Bowl RB Mark Ingram suspended four games for violating NFL's PED policy
- CBS Sports: Mark Ingram suspended: Saints leading rusher out first four games of 2018 season
- SI: Mark Ingram Suspended Four Games for PED Violation: What This Means for Saints' Early Season
- Sporting News: Saints RB Mark Ingram suspended 4 games for PED violation
- Fox Sports: Mark Ingram handed four-game doping ban
- Fox Sports: After Further Review: Ingram suspension a blow to both the Saints and IngramFOX 8 News WVUE-TV
