By Michael Stets
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Khyri Thornton has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2017 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, according to a statement by an NFL spokesperson.
Thornton, 27, is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. He will be able to return to the active roster on Monday October 16, the day after the Lions’ Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
After being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round in 2014, Thornton spent that season on injured reserve after injuring his hamstring during the final preseason game. He played briefly for the New England Patriots in 2015 before being claimed off waivers by the Lions in October.
In 13 games during the 2016 season, Thornton, part of the team’s defensive line rotation, posted 18 tackles and one sack. Back in March, Thornton re-signed with the Lions on a two-year deal worth $3.3 million.
Haloti Ngata and A’Shawn Robinson are expected to be the starting defensive tackles when the Lions open the 2017 season. With Thornton’s six-game suspension, the Lions will lose a player familiar with defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s scheme, but they do have several other defensive tackles in the mix, including Jeremiah Ledbetter, the team’s 2017 sixth round draft pick, and free-agent additions Cornelius Washington, Akeem Spence, Jordan Hill, Ego Ferguson and Bruce Gaston.