Cleveland Browns: Why Antonio Callaway might not be suspended

Cleveland Browns WR Antonio Callaway had marijuana found under his car by the police, but it might not mean a suspension is looming.

With marijuana found under his car seat by Strongsville Police, many are wondering if Cleveland Browns rookie Antonio Callaway‘s career may have hit the brakes just as it was set to take off.

With Callaway being promoted Monday to the first team offense in wake of the Corey Coleman trade, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi broke the news of the marijuana bust on Sunday morning at 2:59 a.m., Aug. 5.

The amount of marijuana found in Callaway’s car would constitute a minor misdemeanor in Ohio, according to Pro Football Talk.

Legally, Callaway has a headache on his hands, but it could be far worse. He might be more worried of the NFL–a league that’s doled out tougher punishments for weed than for domestic assault in the past.

Callaway tested positive for a diluted sample at last winter’s NFL combine, placing him in Stage 1 of their substance abuse program, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.

Were there other infractions the public doesn’t know about, though?

If not, Callaway might be in the clear, for now, with the NFL collecting money, rather than forcing him to sit out games.

Back in 2016, the Washington Post published road map based off information the NFL provided for marijuana infractions.

"1. First violation: Referral to a substance-abuse program.2. Second violation: Fine equivalent to two game checks. (The player’s NFL team isn’t necessarily informed, as the punishment does not affect playing time).3. Third violation: Fine equivalent to four game checks. (Again, the team isn’t necessarily informed).4. Fourth violation: Four-game suspension.5. Fifth violation: 10-game suspension.6. Sixth violation: One-year banishment."

Assuming the NFL constituted the diluted sample as his first violation, this would be Callaway’s second strike, meaning he could be fined two game checks.

Callaway was on the practice field during the time Grossi published his story reporting the matter for ESPN Cleveland.

The Browns released a statement saying they’re collecting information on the matter.

While I took a shot at the NFL for hammering players over marijuana use, the truth is the league has seemed to bend over backwards in an effort to try to get Josh Gordon eligible to return to the field the past few years.

Callaway was expected to start in the Browns’ preseason opener on Thursday as the week kicked off promoting how the fourth-round pick could be one of the sleeper break-out players of the season.

Regardless of whether he’s suspended or not, this is a big blow to the Browns and John Dorsey, who went out on a limb and drafted the troubled receiver out of Florida.