NFL Rumors: Ray Rice getting 2-game suspension

UPDATE

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Ray Rice will be suspended for the first two games of the 2014 NFL season:

NFL is suspending Ravens RB Ray Rice for the first two games this season, per sources. The suspension is expected to be announced today.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2014

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Training camp is here, but the Baltimore Ravens still don't know how long they'll be without one of their best offensive weapons for the start of the 2014 NFL season. Running back Ray Rice is coming off the worst season of his 6-year career, but he's still only 27 and has less than 1,500 career carries.

But Baltimore will likely be without him to start the 2014 NFL season. For some time now, Baltimore has believed the NFL would hand down a multiple-game suspension for Rice's offseason assault of his wife at an Atlantic City casino.

According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports, Rice is expected to get a 2-game suspension:

Hearing, though I haven't been able to confirm, that Ray Rice will receive a two-game suspension. Will update asap.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 24, 2014

This is a very unique situation.

On one hand, Rice has been one of the NFL's poster boys for good behavior for most of his career. His work in local communities and hosts anti-bullying events.

On the other hand, he struck a woman, who's now his wife. First-time offenders don't usually get a strict punishment, so it will be interesting to see what Roger Goodell does in this instance.

If Rice is suspended for two games, he'll miss Week 1 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals and Week 2 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. If his suspension lasts longer, he'll miss Week 3 at the Cleveland Browns, and possibly Week 4 vs. the Carolina Panthers.

That's three AFC North games and last year's NFC South winner. While he's out, Bernard Pierce is expected to get the majority of touches at RB.