The National Football League has issued suspensions to two players from separate teams as part of an intensified crackdown on policy violations prior to the upcoming season. The league announced on Friday that Tennessee Titans defensive back Nazeeh Johnson has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances.
Approximately three minutes after the announcement regarding Johnson, ESPN reported that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis received a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to ESPN Bills reporter Alaina Getzenberg, Mathis' suspension stems from an alcohol-related incident that occurred in the spring of 2025 while he was a member of the New York Jets. Mathis had been claimed by the Jets off waivers in December 2024 but never appeared in a game for the team.
Mathis was previously selected by the Washington Commanders in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama and spent two seasons with the team. Last season with the Bills, he played in six games, recording 13 total tackles, including four solo tackles. He is eligible to return to play on September 28.
Johnson, a product of Marshall University, was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His 2025 season was impacted by a shoulder injury sustained during the preseason, limiting him to two games played after being activated before Week 14. Throughout his career, Johnson has accumulated 66 total tackles, with 39 solo tackles and one sack. He signed with the Titans as a free agent in July.
