Vikings WR Michael Floyd Suspended First Four Games of 2017
Austin Belisle
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The Friday news dump strikes again, this time in the form of suspension news. According to a release by the NFL, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd will miss the first four games of the 2017 regular season for violating the league’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
Under the guidelines of the policy, Floyd will be eligible to return to the Vikings’ active roster on Monday, October 2 following the team’s October 1 game against the Detroit Lions. Until then, Floyd is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, including those as part of the fast-approaching training camp.
Before the announcement, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer had stern words for Floyd. Per Brian Murphy of the Star Tribune, Zimmer spoke with Floyd on the phone following news of Floyd’s apparent misstep while under house arrest in June.
[quote_center]“I said, ‘If I find out you’re lying to me, I’m going to cut you’.”[/quote_center]
Zimmer wouldn’t confirm whether he believed Floyd’s kombucha defense, but the team reportedly encourages its players to drink the product, which has many “probiotic” effects. Floyd also wrote in a sworn affidavit that the drink is available “on tap” at the team’s facilities in Winter Park and he had no knowledge it contained alcohol.
Whatever the reasoning, Floyd will miss Minnesota’s first four games of the regular season, opening the door for Laquon Treadwell to redeem himself after a poor rookie season. Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune recently reported Treadwell’s health was an issue “more than the Vikings let on” last season, which may explain his early-career struggles.
Treadwell is “entrenched” as the team’s third wide receiver and should see plenty of opportunities to start the year, especially in the red zone. Vikings wide receivers coach Darell Hazel spoke with Mike Wobschall yesterday, calling Treadwell “amazing” during the interview; another cog in the positive press machine churning out of Winter Park this offseason.