The Ravens have lost another tight end to a suspension, after the NFL handed down a four-game ban Friday to second-year tight end Darren Waller for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
The Ravens drafted Waller as a wide receiver out of Georgia Tech in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Waller (6 feet 6, 245 pounds) is transitioning to tight end this season, but faced long odds to make the team even before his suspension. Benjamin Watson, Crockett Gillmore, Dennis Pitta and Maxx Williams all return this year and came out of minicamp healthy. If all four are able to hold off injury concerns, Waller likely would've been left out anyway.
Waller was suspended twice for marijuana use while at Georgia Tech. He will be eligible to return Oct. 3 after the Ravens' game against the Oakland Raiders but can participate in preseason practice and exhibition games before then, which will help him get work at his new position as a big target in the passing game.
He will not be paid during his suspension; the Ravens signed him to a four-year, $2.39 million contract upon drafting him.
Last season, Waller made the 53-man roster and caught two passes for 18 yards, but made a greater impact on special teams. He injured his hamstring in Week 7 and went on injured reserve.
Fellow second-year tight end Nick Boyle is already suspended for the first 10 games of this season for performance-enhancing drug use. It is Boyle's second such suspension.
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Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.