It had been expected for a while, but the NFL finally made it official. Bills' RB Marshawn Lynch will be riding the bench for the first three games.
Subject to a potential appeal, Lynch’s three-game suspension would begin after the team’s final preseason game. He would be eligible to return to the Bills’ active roster following the team’s third regular-season game.
Lynch may fully participate in the team’s off-season program and in all preseason practices and games prior to the suspension.
It's shame, because Lynch was looking to be a Top 10 fantasy RB this season. He should still be a great RB2 but if you draft him you'll need to have a plan for dealing with the first three games of the season.
His backup, Fred Jackson, now becomes a legitimate fantasy starter for the first three games of the season (and a necessary handcuff if you draft Lynch). Jackson finished 2008 with 571 rush yds and 3 TDs, including a huge 136 rush yd game against New England to end the season.
If Lynch gets hurt or (more likely) does something else stupid involving guns and cars, Jackson would be a fantasy star.