Last Updated on July 3, 2007 2:57 pm by admin
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Special teams ace Torrie Cox of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was suspended Tuesday by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Cox’s suspension begins Aug. 31. The defensive back and Pro Bowl special-teams alternate can participate in all preseason practices and games.
Cox is eligible to return to Tampa Bay’s active roster on Oct. 1 after the team’s fourth game against the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers had re-signed Cox in March.
“We are hopeful that Torrie Cox can overcome this personal setback,” Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said in a statement.
Cox was picked as a Pro Bowl alternate last season when he returned 18 kickoffs for 387 yards and made 30 tackles.
Cox was drafted by the Bucs in the sixth round in 2003 and has played 41 games. He has 35 tackles and one interception in his four NFL seasons. He has also made 45 special teams tackles and returned 75 kickoffs for more than 1,700 yards.