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Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle suspended for six games

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 1, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Khyri Thornton (99) walks off the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Lions win 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Khyri Thornton (99) walks off the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Lions win 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions get bad news on Tuesday as they learned one of their defensive tackles has been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming regular season.

Trying to build on a 9-7 season last year in which they made the playoffs, the Detroit Lions need players they can rely on. But on Tuesday, the Lions’ found out they’ll be without one of their defensive tackles for nearly half the season.

Team officials were notified by the NFL on Tuesday that defensive tackle Khyri Thornton has been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming regular season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. That according to Pro Football Talk.

Selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, the 6-foot-3, 315 pound defensive tackle is a space-eater and primarily a run defender. Last season, Thornton started in six games for the Lions, recording 18 total tackles, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble.

Due to this suspension, the earliest Thornton could play this season is in Week Eight against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Lions just gave the 27-year old run-stuffer a two-year, $3.3 million contract extension in March.

Despite the fact they re-signed Thornton this offseason, there was no guaranteed he’d make Detroit’s final 53-man roster. And this latest suspension news could seal that fate.

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As for the Lions’ themselves, they are currently stocked at the defensive tackle position heading into training camp next month. With players like Ego Ferguson, Bruce Gaston, Jordan Hill, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Haloti Ngata, A’Shawn Robinson and Akeem Spence all competing for roster spots, missing Thornton shouldn’t be an issue.

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