As a former first-round draft pick of the Rams who never panned out in the NFL, Jimmy Kennedy was in a last-chance scenario when the Giants signed him Aug. 23 to serve as a backup defensive tackle. That last chance might now be over, because Kennedy has been suspended without pay for the next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The suspension begins immediately, and Kennedy is eligible to return to the Giants on Nov. 14 following the Week 10 game the previous day against the 49ers in San Francisco.
Kennedy, 31, is a Yonkers native and product of Roosevelt High School. In his eighth NFL season and on his fifth team, he played in five games this season and did not make much of an impact with four tackles and no sacks.
A free talker, upon arriving to the Giants after he was released by the Vikings, Kennedy said, “If you ask me who the best defensive tackle is in the NFL, I’d say it’s Jimmy Kennedy.”
The loss leaves the Giants short at defensive tackle, because veteran Rocky Bernard is the only backup currently on the roster behind starters Chris Canty and Linval Joseph.
Kennedy was needed because second-round pick Marvin Austin was lost for his entire rookie season with a torn pectoral muscle.
The Giants have Dwayne Hendricks on the practice squad, and he could be signed to the roster. With Justin Tuck missing three of the first five games with neck and groin injuries, the Giants are fairly thin on the defensive line, which is why defensive end Dave Tollefson has moved inside to tackle often this season.
Kennedy’s salary is the veteran minimum of $818,000, meaning the suspension will cost him $202,500, or one-fourth of his contract. He was drafted 12th overall in 2003.