Zac Boyer will be entering his third season covering the Washington Redskins for The Free Lance-Star this fall. Make sure to follow Zac on Twitter (@ZacBoyer) for the latest updates or e-mail him with any questions at zboyer@freelancestar.com.
Phillip Buchanon On Four-Game Suspension: ‘It Was An Honest Mistake’
By ZAC BOYER | zboyer@freelancestar.com | @ZacBoyer
ASHBURN – Phillip Buchanon said Tuesday his four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances was “an honest mistake” but chose not to address it further.
“Things happen,” Buchanon said. “I just put it in God’s hands and look forward to trying to make the best of it.”
Buchanon rejoined his Washington Redskins teammates Monday and practiced for the first time Tuesday morning, an abbreviated session that lasted 90 minutes as the players are about to have five days off with the bye week.
He called his first four weeks, which he spent at home in the Miami area, his “bye week,” and said he will be at Redskins Park each day through the remainder of the week to receive treatment on his injured right shoulder.
Buchanon had the shoulder in a sling while in the locker room but was in the process of taking it off while speaking to reporters. He suggested he may not have even been healthy enough to play for the Redskins during the first four weeks.
“I was actually hurt around that time, too, so I can’t really say, but me being the competitor that I am, I knew I would try to play when I was actually hurt,” Buchanon said. “Those four weeks was kind of a good thing, but not really. It’s just crazy.”
The Redskins have until Oct. 10 to decide what to do with Buchanon, as a spot must be cleared on the 53-man roster.
Buchanon, 31, has averaged 3.5 tackles a game and has 20 interceptions in his nine-year career, in which he has started 81 of 121 games. He signed with the Redskins before last season and served as the team’s nickelback.
