BEREA (AP) — Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Alvin Bailey has been suspended without pay for two games by the NFL for a substance violation.
A league spokesman said Thursday that Bailey’s penalty begins immediately.
Bailey will be eligible to return to Cleveland’s roster on Dec. 25 following the team’s Dec. 24 game against San Diego on Christmas Eve.
Bailey was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated on Sept. 26, hours after the team returned from an overtime loss in Miami. According to the police report, Bailey told officers he had been drinking on the team plane.
After pleading no contest, Bailey was ordered to complete a drive intervention program and pay $840 in fines and court costs.
Bailey has started five games — two at right guard and three at left guard — this season. His loss hurts the depth on Cleveland’s injury-thinned offensive line.