Bills DT Phidarian Mathis suspended three games

August 14, 2026 - 19:46

The National Football League announced on Tuesday that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the upcoming regular season. The league cited a violation of its substances of abuse policy as the reason for the disciplinary action.

Mathis, who joined the Bills this offseason after spending his first three years with the Washington Commanders, will be eligible to return to the active roster on September 23, following the team's Week 3 matchup. He will be permitted to participate in all preseason practices and games, but once the regular season begins, he must step away from team activities entirely until the suspension is served.

The 26-year-old lineman was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama. In his career, he has appeared in 32 games, recording 34 tackles and one sack. He was expected to compete for significant playing time on Buffalo's defensive interior this year, particularly after the team traded away veteran tackle DaQuan Jones during the offseason.

The Bills now face a short-term depth issue at the position. They will likely rely on a mix of second-year player DeWayne Carter and free agent addition Austin Johnson to fill the void during Mathis's absence. Head coach Sean McDermott addressed the situation briefly, stating that the team was informed of the suspension and will support Mathis while holding him accountable. He added that the organization expects him to use the time to grow and come back ready to contribute.