When the Pittsburgh Steelers made the controversial decision to sign free agent Cameron Sutton, they knew there would be a good possibility the talented defensive back would be dealing with a suspension to start the 2024 season. They just didn’t know how long the suspension would be.

Monday the league announced they are suspending Sutton eight games of the 2024 regular season for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. This per the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:

Cameron Sutton of the Pittsburgh Steelers is suspended without pay for the first eight games of the 2024 regular season for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, it was announced today. The NFL investigated the March incident involving Sutton and determined he violated the…

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 8, 2024

Sutton was released by the Detroit Lions after he was accused of domestic violence/battery charges in the state of Florida. After Sutton finally turned himself in, he entered a pre-trial diversion program to avoid any type of jail time or sentence.

While the league handing down an 8-game suspension is significant, there is always an opportunity for a player to appeal the ruling. A good example of a suspension being reduced after appeal would be the case against Ben Roethlisberger in 2010. Roethlisberger was suspended for six games, but that was reduced to four games after his appeal was heard. If Sutton’s suspension isn’t decreased, he will be able to return to the team on October 29th.

Sutton’s absence will have an impact on the team’s roster, as they will have to find someone, or more than one person, to fill the role Sutton will likely have in the Steelers’ defense of playing in sub packages.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for training camp on July 24th.

UPDATE:

Sutton reportedly waived his right to appeal, making the decision by the league final. This per Adam Schefter of ESPN:

Cameron Sutton’s discipline is final. He is not appealing. https://t.co/geI4BIYsFV

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 8, 2024