Former Gamecock Saunders Suspended

COLUMBIA (WOLO) — The NFL has suspended former Gamecock and Colts tight end Weslye Saunders due to a violation of the league‘s policy against performance-enhancing substances. Saunders will be suspended for the first eight games of the 2013 season. This isn’t the first time Saunders has been suspended by the NFL. Last year, the NFL suspended Saunders for the first four games of the season after he violated the PED policy. Missing eight games is the league’s standard penalty for a second offense. Saunders will be eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games. After the final preseason game, he will be suspended until November 4. If Saunders violates the PED policy a third time, he would be suspended 12 months, and would have to apply for reinstatement to the league. Saunders played in 11 regular-season games last year, starting four times.