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Report: Kenneth Dixon suspended two additional games

By Joe Schiller

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 18: Running back Kenneth Dixon #30 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 18: Running back Kenneth Dixon #30 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon has been suspended for two additional games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

After a promising rookie season in 2016, things seem to be going down hill for Kenneth Dixon. The second-year running back is out on Injured-Reserve with a season-ending knee injury and also faces a four game suspension. Now, he’s got two more games to tack on.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dixon has been suspended two additional games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

If you’re counting, that’s six games in total. Dixon will serve the suspension while on IR this season.

When the Ravens selected Dixon in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, he was considered a steal. Dixon was a stud at Louisiana Tech and finished his collegiate career ranked as the second all-time touchdown leader, only behind Keenan Reynolds.

Dixon missed the first four games of his rookie season with a knee injury, but quickly became a factor when on the field. In 12 games he rushed for 382 yards and also was a factor as a receiver, catching for 162 yards. As the season went on he started to gain more confidence and looked like he was coming into his own. Heading into this season, many expected Dixon to be the No. 1 running back, but those hopes quickly spiraled out of control.

In early March, news broke that Dixon was suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the league’s PED policy. Then just four months later, Dixon suffered a torn meniscus and was ruled out for the entire season. His young career has gotten off to a bad start and you have to think how much longer the Ravens will keep him around.

The bottom line

This news doesn’t impact the Ravens at all this season, but it will going forward. John Harbaugh never seems to take these situations lightly. Next season Buck Allen will be entering the last year of his rookie contract, Terrance West will be an unrestricted free agent and Danny Woodhead will be 33-years old.

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The Ravens still have not had a 1,000 yard rusher since Justin Forsett in 2014. And even then, he was going on 30. They haven’t had a home run hitter at the position since Ray Rice. Looking ahead to 2018, running back will be a top priority for the Ravens come draft time.

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