Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs has been suspended for the first 10 games of the NFL season, the league announced on Friday.
Buggs, 29, has not been active in the NFL since he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in June of 2024. He has dealt with multiple legal issues, includes charges of animal abuse and domestic violence.
Buggs was convicted in Alabama of two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in 2024 for leaving two dogs unattended and was sentenced to 60 days of hard labor. Those charges were filed in May 2024.
A June incident was the basis for the domestic violence charges. Buggs was alleged to have broken into the house of the mother of his child and dragged her down the stairs, causing scratch marks and broken nails. That arrest caused his release by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Buggs entered a plea agreement in the domestic violence case that reduced the charge to criminal trespass, and had the conviction for animal cruelty overturned in April.
It’s not immediately clear which incident or incidents were the basis of the NFL suspension. The NFL domestic abuse policy does not require a conviction to warrant a suspension.
Buggs had been looking to restart his career this fall after clearing up the last of his legal issues this spring, but it now appears he’ll have another half a season to go.
“We are grateful to the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office for its careful review of the facts and evidence and for working toward a fair and just outcome,” Buggs said this April in a statement provided by attorney Greg Gambril. “I am focused on moving forward and continuing my football career.”
Buggs can serve his suspension without being on an active roster. Buggs played with the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL for four games this spring, starting two games and recording five tackles and two sacks.
Buggs was the Steelers’ sixth-round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He stayed with the team until 2021, when they released him, and he joined the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. He later spent two seasons with the Detroit Lions and became a Super Bowl Champion with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2024.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers DT Suspended 10 Games By NFL
