Rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes just released a statement following the report that he had been suspended for four games for violating the league's banned substance policy.
According to the statement, Spikes says that the substance was a "medication" that he he should have "gotten clarification" before taking.
"I've been contacted by the NFL and informed that I will be suspended four games for the detection of an illegal substance in a drug test," said Spikes in the statement. "The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking. It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league's ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake."
The suspension is effective immediately, and he will be eligible to return to the Patriots' active roster on Monday, January 3rd - the day after the team's final regular season game on January 2 against the Miami Dolphins.
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