Zay Jones, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, has been suspended without pay for the first five games of the NFL season due to a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The NFL announced the suspension on Friday, which means Jones will be eligible to return after the Cardinals’ Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Jones had recently joined the Cardinals, having signed a one-year contract with the team in May.
The suspension is connected to an incident that occurred on November 13, when Jones was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. The altercation reportedly involved the mother of his child and resulted in an injury to her neck, according to the arrest and booking report. Although the charge against Jones was later dropped in March, the NFL still decided to impose disciplinary action based on its conduct policy.
Jones had been making a strong impression during the offseason and was expected to play a significant role in the Cardinals’ offense. Head coach Jonathan Gannon spoke highly of Jones, commending his quick learning ability and football intelligence, which allowed him to adapt to different positions on the field. Gannon’s praise came shortly before the suspension was made public, indicating that Jones was likely to be a key contributor to the team’s passing game.
In the 2023 season, Jones dealt with a knee injury that caused him to miss eight games. Despite this setback, he managed to catch 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
The previous season had been his best yet, with career highs of 82 receptions and 823 receiving yards. The Cardinals had been counting on Jones to replicate or even surpass that performance this year, making his suspension a significant blow to their offensive plans.
Financially, Jones’ one-year deal with the Cardinals is valued at up to $2.25 million, including a base salary of $1.41 million, with $650,000 fully guaranteed, and a $500,000 signing bonus.
He also had the potential to earn up to $340,000 in roster bonuses. However, the suspension will cost him a portion of these earnings, as he will miss five games, impacting both his presence on the field and his financial situation.
