ASHBURN — Washington Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver has been suspended for one game for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, according to a statement from a league spokesman.
Culliver will serve his suspension on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams and is eligible to return for the Thursday night game against the New York Giants in Week 3.
The Redskins’ cornerback pleaded guilty in June to two misdemeanors stemming from an incident last March. Culliver hit a bicyclist, fled the scene, then threatened a citizen with brass knuckles in Santa Clara, California.
This week, cornerback Bashaud Breeland is returning from a one-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The Redskins were going to have to make a roster move to open a spot for Breeland, but the suspension creates an opening.
The return of Breeland was going to be a helpful addition for the Redskins on Sunday, and it still will be — though the team will still be down a corner.
SEE ALSO: Chris Culliver pleads guilty to two misdemeanors stemming from hit-and-run
The Redskins have options to replace Culliver on Sunday. Without him, Breeland would likely line up opposite DeAngelo Hall in the team’s base defense. In a nickel package, Breeland could shift to the slot with David Amerson manning the outside, or Breeland could remain outside with Justin Rogers in the slot.
That plan could get complicated if Rogers is unavailable against the Rams. According to Redskins coach Jay Gruden, Rogers is questionable after battling plantar fasciitis on Sunday against the Dolphins.
When Hall left the game temporarily with a rib injury on the final series of the first half Sunday, the Dolphins targeted Amerson heavily. Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill thew five consecutive passes at Amerson and three were completed — including one for a touchdown.
The secondary is already shorthanded after strong safety Duke Ihenacho fractured his wrist in Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins. The injury will require surgery and keep him out six to eight weeks.
The Redskins options at strong safety are Trenton Robinson, who replaced Ihenacho against the Dolphins, as well as Jeron Johnson and rookie Kyshoen Jarrett — and Gruden mentioned “all three will probably play,” on Sunday.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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