Fast Break

NFL

Jets’ Chatman suspended by league

New York Jets running back and former Eastern Washington University star Jesse Chatman was suspended without pay by the NFL on Saturday for the team’s first four regular-season games for violating the league’s steroids and related-substances policy.

Chatman, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in March, is eligible to rejoin the team Sept. 29, a day after New York’s game against Arizona.

Chatman’s agent, Brett Tessler, said in a statement that the running back “never tested positive for a steroid or any other performance- enhancing drug.

“Near the end of last season, the league claimed he had a diuretic in his system that they said could also be used as a masking agent,” Tessler said. “After Jesse spent great time and money defending his innocence, the league made its final ruling and now he has no choice but to look ahead to Week 5.”

Chatman had 180 total yards and scored the go-ahead TD for the Jets in their 27-20 win at Philadelphia on Thursday. He led the team in rushing in the preseason with 164 yards.

Jets coach Eric Mangini said Chatman will have a job waiting for him when he finishes serving the suspension.

“Had this not gone through, he would be on the 53-man roster,” Mangini said. “In terms of evaluating him as a player and a contributor, I think he earned that spot from that perspective.”

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