According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Rams wide receiver Austin Pettis has been suspended for four games for violating NFL rules on performance-enhancing substances. Pettis will miss the final two games of the 2011 season, and the first two games of 2012, most notably without pay.
Pettis is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.
A third-round pick out of Boise State last April, Pettis has appeared in 12 games with three starts. Because of injuries he has been the team’s No. 3 wideout over much of the second half of the season.
He’s currently tied for fourth on the squad in receptions (27), good for 256 yards, with no touchdowns. He also has returned 15 punts for 139 yards.
With Pettis unavailable, that leaves the Rams with Brandon Lloyd, Danario Alexander, and Brandon Gibson available. Nick Miller and Dominique Curry also are on the roster at wide receiver.
When it rains it pours.
