Melvin Gordon facing possible three-game suspension in 2020

Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon could get a three-game suspension.

For the second consecutive season, a big-name Denver Broncos free agent acquisition has gotten a DUI. Last year, it was safety Kareem Jackson, who wound up getting suspended for the final two games of the 2019 season. This year, it’s running back Melvin Gordon.

Gordon was charged with a DUI and speeding, going 71 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

It was later revealed that Gordon went to dinner with a friend in the Denver area, drank some wine, and drove himself home.

Even with an apology to the team’s GM, the new CBA rules state that a first-time offender of this particular offense is due a three-game suspension.

Considering the current COVID-19 policies in place, this was really just an all-around reckless move by Gordon, who probably should have just had his friend over to his place instead.

Now, the Broncos’ leader in touchdowns this season will miss three games at some point, depending on how the league rules in this situation. It seems like a pretty clear case, though, so Gordon is likely going to be out for three games sometime soon.

Gordon is set to be arraigned on November 13, and typically the NFL implements their punishment for these sort of things after a court ruling.

For example, in the 2019 situation involving Kareem Jackson, he was cited in September and wasn’t suspended until December.

In this case, it looks like Gordon could be punished by the NFL as soon as mid-November, as this is a zero-tolerance offense.

The Broncos held Gordon out of their Wednesday practice, but he was on the field as of Thursday and can still play this weekend unless the team decides to punish him in addition to what the league is going to do.

Even as reckless of a penalty as this is, it’s more likely we’ll see Gordon out there against the Patriots than not. Whenever he has to serve a three-game suspension, the Broncos will have 2018 third-round pick Royce Freeman in the waiting for a bigger role.