By ,
Published January 13, 2015
New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL's substance abuse program.
Blackmon is eligible to apply for reinstatement prior to the start of the 2014 season, the NFL said Friday.
The Jaguars said they would evaluate Blackmon's status "once he has successfully met the criteria to be considered for reinstatement to the league."
Blackmon, 23, served a four-game suspension at the start of this season for his second substance abuse violation in less than a year. He pled guilty to a drunk driving charge in July 2012 for an incident that happened that June, not long after the Jaguars selected him fifth in the NFL Draft.
On Friday, he said he would "address these matters with the type of intensity I usually direct toward my on-field play so that I can be ready to be a productive member of the team and community next season."
The wideout ranked second on the Jaguars with 415 yards on 29 receptions this season despite missing the first four games.
"All of us who are a part of the Jaguars family care very deeply about Justin and his well-being," Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said in a statement.
"That said, he must be held accountable and accept the consequences announced today by the NFL. His suspension will provide him the opportunity to receive the attention and professional treatment necessary to overcome his challenges, and we will support him during this time."
Blackmon apologized in a statement "for not utilizing the resources that I was provided to overcome my challenges."
"I am determined to overcome the issues that have resulted in this situation, and I truly appreciate the support that the Jaguars and my agent have shown me," Blackmon said in the statement to ProFootballTalk.com
"Again, I am truly sorry to (Jaguars owner Shad) Khan, my teammates and coaches and to the Jaguars fans for the impact of my situation on the team as well as to my family and friends and those that have been there for me during these challenging times," Blackmon said. "Nobody is more disappointed with all of this than me."
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/jags-wr-blackmon-suspended-indefinitely