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The New York Giants will be without one of their newest pieces to start the season.
The NFL has suspended Giants defensive lineman Josh Mauro for the first four games of the 2018 season.
Josh Mauro of the New York Giants has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2018 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.
Mauro is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.
- via the NFL
Mauro had this to say on his suspension (through his agent):
From agent @Caricsportsmgt, here is a statement on the 4-game suspension for new #Giants DE Josh Mauro: pic.twitter.com/5JNK1YHrkq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2018
The news that Mauro will be suspended can’t come as a surprise to the Giants, and it helps to explain why the Giants were able to sign him to an $880,000 contract.
Unfortunately for Mauro, he will lose more than $180,000 to the suspension, but equally unfortunately, the Giants will not have that added back to their salary cap. That fact didn’t seem to bother the Giants, who perhaps used it as a lure to make sure Mauro signed in New York.
I would say the fact that the Giants agreed to a workout bonus rather than a combination of a signing and workout bonus pretty much showed they were fully aware of pending Mauro suspension. Did him a favor by doing all workout $
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 23, 2018
As the NFL states, Mauro will be able to participate in the Giants’ offseason program, OTAs, mini-camp, training camp, and pre-season before he has to leave and serve his suspension.