Colts RB Robert Turbin slapped with 4-game suspension for PED use
The best news for Colts fans, of course, is that Andrew Luck is reportedly going to be ready to start the season after sitting out all of last year due to shoulder surgery.
As happy as that would make new coach Frank Reich, not all is well.
Luck’s health can restore stability at the most important position. But the rest of the backfield? Not so much.
Potential Hall of Famer Frank Gore — the team’s leading rusher last season — left Indianapolis for a homecoming in Miami.
And now the guy who was scheduled to replace Gore will be under suspension for the first quarter of next season.
Sixth-year back Robert Turbin announced on Twitter that he’s been busted for using a performance-enhancing drug.
— Robert “Turbo” Turbin (@RobertJTurbin) June 29, 2018
“A urine sample I provided to the NFL has resulted in a positive test of a banned substance under league policy with regards to Performance Enhancing Substances. It absolutely kills me that I allowed this to happen,” Turbin wrote.
“It has always been a priority in my life to display a high level of leadership both on and off the field. I strive to be a person that people can look up to and strive to exemplify the definition of hard work.”
Gore is gone, Turbin is on the sidelines and Marlon Mack is recovering from shoulder surgery.
Hence, the Colts are in a quandry.
That leaves rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Hicks, along with veterans Christine Michael and Josh Ferguson, in the Indianapolis backfield.
Turbin was limited to six games last season, but he led the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2016.
Make no mistake, his loss will be felt.
“Unfortunately, I have made a mistake,” he tweeted, “A mistake that will not only have personal consequences, but will affect the Colts organization, an organization that I am extremely appreciative to be a part of. For that, I am truly sorry.”
He will be eligible to return for Indy’s fifth game of the season at New England.
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