A report from NFL Network surfaced Monday that former Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2024 season without pay due to a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. This offseason, Sutton was involved in a dispute that initially resulted in a charge of domestic violence by strangulation that was later downgraded to a misdemeanor. According to Adam Schefter, Sutton will not appeal the suspension. It is final.
Unbeknownst to the Lions, a warrant for Sutton’s arrest had been out for nearly a month, and after the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released the warrant — while Sutton was on Lions property at the time — Detroit released Sutton a day later.
“We were able to get a hold of Cam and talk about it and suggest that he get legal advice and do the right thing by turning himself in,” team president Rod Wood said. “After that, we met the rest of the day and the next morning to decide whether to release him.”
Sutton would later surrender and agree to participate in a domestic violence intervention program to avoid prosecution.
Sutton has since signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that originally drafted him, on a one-year deal. But he will now be forced to miss the first half of the 2024 season.
Last year, Sutton was the Lions’ No. 1 defensive cornerback, starting all 17 games for Detroit. But this offseason, the Lions made a number of moves to bolster the position, including acquiring Carlton Davis, signing Amik Roberts and signing Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
It’s unclear what impact this will have on Sutton’s financial commitment to the Lions. Last time we heard, Sutton was planning to file a lawsuit to recoup some of his $10.5 million guaranteed by Detroit, which was waived by the team when he was released in March.
Update:
Sutton not appealing suspensionaccording to Adam Schefter.
