Ravens special teamer Thompson suspended by NFL

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens special teams player Christian Thompson has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The suspension was announced Monday by the NFL.

Thompson played in seven games as a rookie last season before being placed on injured reserve on Nov. 17 with a knee problem.

The 6-foot, 211-pound Thompson will be eligible to return to the Ravens’ active roster on the day after the team’s fourth regular-season game. He is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

Drafted in the fourth round out of South Carolina State last April, Thompson played in seven of the Ravens’ first eight games of the 2012 season. He was a safety in college.