Patriots’ Lance Kendricks suspended over marijuana charge

New England Patriots tight end Lance Kendricks will miss the first game of 2019 due to a suspension stemming from a marijuana citation two years ago.

The NFL announced Saturday that Kendricks would be suspended for one game due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

#Patriots TE Lance Kendricks is suspended without pay for the first game of the 2019 regular season for violating the NFL’s policy and program on substances of abuse. In July, he received probation for a 2017 marijuana charge for which he pleaded no contest.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2019

Kendricks has 19 career touchdowns in eight seasons. He was signed a month ago to help pick up the slack after Rob Gronkowski retired.

Kendricks was a member of the Green Bay Packers when he was cited for marijuana possession in September 2017. The modest punishment is recognition that it was a minor offense, and he should be back for Week 2.