Report: Adam Jones will appeal one-game suspension

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones is planning to appeal his one-game suspension, according to Pro Football Talk.

The NFL announced the Week 1 suspension on Friday, which many thought was lenient considering Jones did plead guilty to obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor offense and is a repeat offender, having been suspended twice before by the league. Jones was originally charged with four counts (three misdemeanors and one felony) but all but the misdemeanor for obstructing official business were dropped.

Back in May, Dave Lapham shared his opinion that Jones would be suspended for two to four games, which seemed appropriate. The news of Jones getting just a one game suspension seemed lenient and a rare fair move from the NFL. After a vote of more than 400 Bengals fans on Cincy Jungle, 56 percent of fans thought the punishment was not harsh enough.

If the above report is true and Jones does plan to appeal, he’ll be unlikely to win his appeal. Assuming he remains suspended for Week 1, the Bengals will likely be choosing between William Jackson and Darqueze Dennard to start in Jones’ spot for the Bengals’ home opener against the Baltimore Ravens. It actually could be a great opportunity for the young Bengals cornerbacks and former first round picks.

Jones needed to let the NFL know by today if he was going to appeal the suspension. On Friday, his agent said he was “exploring all options.”

It may actually be best for the Bengals to get a better look at Jackson and Dennard in action and let Jones stay fresh for the rest of the season during his Week 1 suspension.

We’ll continue to update you as this story develops. In the meantime, you can catch up on all of the Adam Jones drama here.