Cameron Sutton may be getting more bad news after being charged with domestic battery, released by the Detroit Lions and now suspended by the NFL.
Sutton, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June, could face another setback, potentially losing out on some money he may have been owed by the Lions, according to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire.
On July 8, the league announced it handed down an eight-game suspension to Sutton related to his March 2024 arrest on charges of domestic violence. In April, he entered a pretrial diversion.
“The NFL investigated the March incident involving Sutton and determined he violated the personal conduct policy, leading to his suspension,” the report noted.
Former #Lions and current #Steelers CB Cameron Sutton has been suspended eight games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This stems from his disturbing off-the-field incident this offseason. pic.twitter.com/mNt78ws8GI
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 8, 2024
The cornerback
Lions ‘Justified’ in Releasing Cameron Sutton
After the Lions released Sutton in March, the team sought to recoup some of his salary but was met with an appeal from Sutton, Risdon wrote.
But Sutton’s suspension could help the Lions in proving they had cause to have his guaranteed money voided, he wrote.
“The lengthy suspension could help the Lions in their quest to have his guaranteed money voided,” Risdon wrote. “The team filed the necessary paperwork to have Sutton’s contractual legacy voided for his conduct, but Sutton apparently filed an appeal to keep at least some of the $10.5 million the Lions had previously guaranteed to him.
“Getting suspended by the league for eight games indicates that Sutton did indeed commit an egregious enough act to justify the Lions’ decision to release him,” he wrote. “It can only help Detroit’s case to get the full contract value fully voided, though it’s all still up to an arbitrator to decide at an unknown time.”
Sutton will be eligible for reinstatement after his Steelers’ October 29 game against the New York Giants. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2017.
Lions Make Moves in the Secondary
The Lions lost a key contributor when they released Sutton. The veteran cornerback started all 17 games last season, making 65 total tackles with 1 interception and 6 pass defenses.
The Lions have been overhauling a secondary that struggled last season, signing veteran Amik Robertson and trading for Carlton Davis. The team also used their first two draft picks on cornerbacks, taking Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw.
Arnold indicated that he’s ready for a significant role, sharing in a video on TikTok that he felt pressure to perform this year but was ready for it.
“If you asked me how football was going, I would say good, but on a deeper level, I would say this 21-year-old kid is under so much pressure to perform and if my team doesn’t win a [ring], it’s considered a failure, but I’m built for it and ready.”
Rakestraw has also shown some versatility through the team’s early practices, lining up outside and in the slot. The rookie cornerback said he’s comfortable moving around in the secondary and ready to help the Lions in whatever way they need him.
“That’s how I played my freshman year [at Missouri] as a starter, I started nickel and then I started at (outside) corner, so to me that’s just my home,” Rakestraw said, via the team’s website.
“I mean, I started first day there so that’s probably big picture probably maybe, but it don’t matter where I play. I just want to play and be a part.”
