For a third time this offseason, the National Football League is punishing a former Alabama player.
San Diego Chargers defensive end Damion Square has been suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to a report from NFL writer Max Meyer on Wednesday.
Square, 26, is in his third season at San Diego and second as a full-time contributor, after being cut from both Philadelphia and Kansas City and claimed off waivers by the Chargers on Nov. 3, 2014.
His six tackles in 2015 was good enough to earn him a one-year contract with the team on March 11; however, his absence hurts the depth up front. With Sean Lissemore on injury reserve, head coach Mike McCoy and company don’t have many options to look at on its front line.
It took ex-Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa in the first round of the NFL Draft, but he’s been holding out due to contract issues. A confirmed deal for Bosa and getting some players healthy will be important for San Diego, as it looks to erase a horrid 4-12 output from its 2015 season.
Square joins ex-Tide standouts Rolando McClain and Marcell Dareus on the suspension list.
He played four years at Alabama (2009-12) and was a part of three national championship teams (2009, 2011-12). Square was not taken through seven rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
