GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The NFL suspended Green Bay Packers defensive end and former Texas A&M star Johnny Jolly without pay for the upcoming season and perhaps beyond for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Jolly's suspension begins immediately and will continue through at least the 2010 season. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the Super Bowl.
Jolly is facing drug charges in Houston after his July 2008 arrest outside a club for possession of at least 200 grams of codeine. If convicted, Jolly faces up to 20 years in prison.
A defensive end in Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme, Jolly played a key role as the Packers allowed a league-low 83.3 yards rushing per game.
Jolly, 27, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2006 and worked his way into a starting role the past two seasons.
The charges against Jolly were dropped in July 2009 so lab technicians could become proficient with a new piece of equipment that measures codeine. He was reindicted in December 2009.