NFL Announces $195,000 Punishment Decision on Monday

The Ravens entered Sunday’s game with a 6-6 record and a 69% chance of making the playoffs. However, they failed to defend their home field against Aaron Rodgers and Co., resulting in their postseason odds dropping significantly to 38%.

Cleveland, who is now in his fifth season with the Ravens, did not play on Sunday against the Steelers. In fact, the former third-round pick’s last appearance for Baltimore was on Nov. 16 in a 23-16 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 27-year-old is now ineligible to play for the next few games.

The Ravens took to social media on Monday to share an NFL announcement regarding Cleveland’s suspension.

“Announcement from the NFL: Ben Cleveland of the Baltimore Ravens is suspended for the club’s next three games without pay for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy,” the team posted on X.

According to the NFL’s contract policy, a player is forced to forfeit 1/18th of his base salary for each game that he is suspended. Cleveland is currently on a one-year, $1.17 million deal with the Ravens, which amounts to a weekly paycheck of $65,000. Since he has been suspended by the NFL for the next three games, the former Georgia Bulldogs star is now expected to lose $195,000 in salaries.

The league has a very strict policy regarding banned substances. While the full details of Cleveland’s violation have not been disclosed publicly, it is clear that the NFL has made a stern punishment decision in his case.  

Cleveland will now be banned from playing in Baltimore’s next game, which is on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He will also be suspended for the next two succeeding contests. His next chance to play will be against the Steelers on Jan. 4, the Ravens’ final game of the regular season.