NFL suspends Steelers CB Cameron Sutton for 8 games after March incident

The NFL announced it had placed the Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton under eight-game suspension from the start of the new session and without pay because he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the league said on Monday.

Sutton signed a one-year contract at the veteran minimum with the Steelers in June of that year, following his release by the Detroit Lions this off-season, a warrant was issued for Sutton arrest after a report of domestic violence in March in Florida. Sutton was taken into police custody 11 days after the issuance of the arrest warrant was given to him.

Sutton pleaded pre-sentence intervention in April following his felony charge was lowered to misdemeanor battery, as stated by online court records. He was enrolled in the batterers’ intervention program on April 8 as stated in the official records.

However, the NFL conducted the probing before coming up with the suspension, it added. Sutton will be again eligible for activation on October 29th down the Steelers’ Week 8 clash with the New York Giants.

During the media availably in June, Sutton stated that he cannot discuss his legal case and or potential punishments from the NFL.

“I was waiting for that call and that call has come and I am here now and let’s keep moving,” Sutton said. “People face some challenges in life and it is all about how you manage to deal with those challenges and how you come out of those phases and knowing oneself and not allow someone to quell your spirit.

“I am grateful for the organization to offer me this chance and now can wear the same uniform with these guys again and try to achieve more great things. ”

Before arriving the Lions via a three-year, $33 million contract in 2023, Sutton spent the first half of his Steelers’ career. Playing for the lions last season he featured in all the 17 games and had 65 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and six passes defended.

When asked last month about why they signed Sutton, Head Coach of Steel Mike Tomlin said that it was the ‘totality’ of his connection/relationship with the player drafted by the team in 2017.

“None of them are from the recent past, it is more about the sum total of the abusive relationship,” Tomlin said. “That is why when people are asking me about him , I tell them this is a great guy, a football guy ; I probably represent the sentiments of the organization in terms of saying that it aint really been much in terms of direct of conversation particularly in the last couple of years but more or less about longevity of a relationship. ”

Pittsburgh signed Sutton to return as a slot cornerback who is sorely missing in their roster. If they are not able to trade him, the Steelers are left with two options, probably, signing the remaining free players (anyone like Patrick Peterson) or just relying on the rookie Beanie Bishop or on Josiah Scott who has a lot of experience to just play nearly 400 snaps like he did in the 2022 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. Scott trained a lot with the first team in the spring before Pittsburgh signed Sutton.