Steelers CB Cam Sutton Suspended 8 Weeks by NFL for Domestic Violence Arrest
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cam Sutton has been suspended eight games without pay by the National Football League for violation of the team’s personal conduct policy, the league announced on Monday.
Sutton was suspended for violating the domestic violence portion of the league’s conduct policy, when he was arrested for domestic assault earlier this offseason. Sutton was originally charged with a felony, before it was reduced to misdemeanor. At that point, he entered a pre-trial diversion program that included admitting guilt. The NFL independently investigated the allegations and confirmed that Sutton violated the league’s policy.
Sutton spent three weeks earlier this offseason wanted by police after he was alleged to have assaulted a woman in a home in Lutz, Florida on March 7. Sutton was released by the Detroit Lions on March 21 after one year of a three-year, $33 million free agent contract.
The Steelers signed Sutton to a one-year deal on June 5. Sutton’s suspension will be without pay, and will not count against the Steelers’ salary cap or the team’s 53-man roster. He can appeal the suspension, but is not expected to. Six weeks is the NFL minimum for matters of domestic violence.
Sutton will be eligible to participate in training camp and the preseason with the Steelers before his eight-week punishment. He will be eligible to return to the team on Oct. 29, after the Steelers play their Week 8 game against the New York Giants. The Steelers have a Week 9 bye, so Sutton will be eligible to play his first game with the team this season in Week 10, a Nov. 10 road game against the Washington Commanders.
With Sutton now expected to miss half the season, the Steelers will be searching for someone to man the team’s slot cornerback position during training camp, continuing the battle that started during OTAs. Veteran former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josiah Scott, former Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns slot man Thomas Graham Jr. and rookie undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop out of West Virginia are the team’s top internal options.
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Sutton, 29, was originally drafted by the Steelers out of Tennessee in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played six seasons for the Steelers from 2017-22, progressing from a Dime cornerback to a starter on the outside. He left Pittsburgh in 2023, when he signed a three-year, $33 million free agent contract with the Detroit Lions. He started all 17 games for Detroit last season, recording 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, six passes defended, one forced fumble and one interception.
The Steelers did not retain either of the club’s slot cornerbacks from the 2023 season, Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson. Both players remain available on the free agent market.
