Lions DT Jashon Cornell was forced to sit out the entirety of his rookie season due to an achilles injury. He'll have to wait at least three more games to make his debut.
Cornell, a seventh-round pick out of Ohio State in 2020, has been suspended for the first three games of the 2021 season for violating the NFL Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse, the league announced Thursday.
Cornell later wrote on Twitter that it stems from a mistake he made following the death of a friend.
"Last year after losing a dear friend of mine I made a mistake that was out of my character," he said. "I have owned it and worked on learning from it.
"Since then I have grown as a person and now a better man. With that being said I apologize to the Lions organization and the fans. I have learned from my mishap."
Cornell, 24, will be eligible to return to action following Detroit's Week 3 game vs Baltimore. He is still allowed to participate in all offseason practices and preseason games.