NFL suspends DE Wes Horton, WR Stephen Hill for violating drug policies

Backup defensive end Wes Horton will miss the next month after he was suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, the league announced Monday.

Horton is one of two Panthers players who were suspended Monday. Wide receiver Stephen Hill, on injured reserve with a knee injury, received a one-game suspension for a violation of the substance abuse policy.

Hill, who was cited for possession of marijuana paraphernalia during a traffic stop in Concord in July, can serve the suspension while on IR.

Horton, who started two games this season, will be eligible to play in the Week 16 game at Atlanta on Dec. 27. First-time violators of the PED policy receive a four-game suspension under the league policy.

Horton started 15 games last season after Greg Hardy went on the commissioner's list. But Horton has only eight tackles and one sack this season, and was inactive for Sunday's game against Washington.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 6:35 PM with the headline "NFL suspends DE Wes Horton, WR Stephen Hill for violating drug policies."