FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Something obviously was brewing with Jalen Collins when the Atlanta Falcons cornerback and Super Bowl starter found himself running with the third- and fourth-team defenses during training camp.
Collins played it off as no big deal. Then the NFL issued a statement Sunday confirming Collins' demotion was related to a disciplinary matter: Collins was suspended the first 10 games of the regular season without pay for a second violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
There was no need for the Falcons to give Collins many reps, knowing others needed to be prepared to play behind starters Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford.