Patriots player suspended for drug violation

By Mike McDermottNew England Patriots rookie running back Brandon Bolden has been suspended four games without pay for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the NFL has announced.

The suspension is effective immediately. Bolden will be eligible to return to the Patriots' roster on Dec. 3, after the Dec. 2 game against the Dolphins.

Bolden has not played since Oct. 14, when he injured his knee at Seattle. He had not practiced this week.

The undrafted rookie from the University of Mississippi was off to a promising start, highlighted by a 16-carry, 134-yard performance in the Patriots' Week Four victory at Buffalo.

For the season, he had 234 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries (a 5.4-yards-per-carry average).