Why did the NFL suspend Zay Jones? League comes down heavy on Cardinals WR over March 2024 charges

The NFL announced on Friday afternoon that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones would be suspended for the first five games of the 2024 season. Jones violated the personal conduct policy and will have to wait to make his debut with the Cardinals.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero posted the following information on X:

"The NFL has suspended #Cardinals WR Zay Jones the first five games of the regular season for violating the personal conduct policy."

On November 13, 2023, Jones was arrested with misdemeanor domestic battery charges after an argument with the mother of his child. There was an injury to her neck as a result of the argument.

The Florida State Attorney's office dropped the charges on March 13. But after the NFL conducted their own investigation into the matter, they felt it was necessary to hit Jones with a five-game suspension.

Jones was released shortly after by the Jaguars on April 30, a day after the team selected wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with their first-round pick. Less than a month later, on May 13, the Arizona Cardinals signed Jones to a one-year deal for the 2024 season.

Jones will be eligible for reinstatement on Oct. 7 following the Cardinals' Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver depth takes a hit with Zay Jones sidelined for the first five games of the season

Zay Jones during Jacksonville Jaguars v Houston Texans - Source: Getty

The Arizona Cardinals had one of the worst wide receiver corps last season. That's part of the reason why they drafted rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth-overall pick in this year's draft.

The Cardinals didn't have a single 1,000-yard receiver on their team at any position. Their leading wide receiver was Marquise Brown, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs this off-season in free agency.

Rondale Moore, who was third in receiving yards for a Cardinals WR last season, was traded to the Falcons this off-season.

Michael Wilson was the team's second-leading receiver with 565 yards and he returns this season.

Jones could be the number two wide receiver on the opposite side of Harrison Jr., or could be Arizona's slot receiver. Either way, losing him for the first five games of the season won't help out quarterback Kyler Murray.