Raiders Fullback Marcel Reece Suspended Four Games For Performance Enhancing Drugs

There may only be one game left in the 2015 NFL regular season, but Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece has been hit with a four game suspension for performance enhancing drug use. He will miss the season finale against the Chiefs and the first three of next year.

Reece will also miss the Pro Bowl, which would have been his fourth straight. He can, however, take part in offseason workouts and preseason practices and games next year.

“I want to let Marcel speak for himself, but I know he’s disappointed and he doesn’t think it’s justified,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “I would just hope that at some point the league takes a good look at that process to see if it makes sense. I think there’s room there for something to be done that maybe would be more fair and just. We understand what’s occurred and what the result is, and we’ll abide and carry on without Marcel.”

Del Rio also insisted that Reece’s absence wouldn’t have a major impact on this week’s game plan. The fullback has only been on the field for roughly a quarter of the Raiders’ offensive plays this season.

“He’s not a major part of what we do,” Del Rio said. “He’s a part of what we do, but it’s not like we’re taking out 50 or 60 or 70 percent of our offense when we remove him. We’ll get the next guy up and be ready to roll.”

Photo: Raiders fullback Marcel Reece, by Jeffrey Bealle