The Sports Xchange

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Ryan Seymour has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Seymour can participate in all preseason practices and games but will then be banned until Oct. 5, after the Browns’ game against the San Diego Chargers.

In a statement provided by the Browns, Seymour said, “Although I did not knowingly take a substance that was on the NFL’s banned list, I do know that as an NFL player I must take full responsibility for everything that is in my body. I will be much more careful in the future so something like this never happens again.

“I am very disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to help the Browns win games during the first four weeks of the season. I look forward to putting this behind me, and right now I’m focused on continuing to work hard, being a good teammate and helping my team improve for the remainder of the preseason.”

Seymour was a seventh-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. The Browns claimed him off waivers last year after the San Francisco 49ers released him in final cuts, and he played in 11 games last season, including three starts after center Alex Mack suffered a broken leg.