The Kansas City Chiefs will be without one of their key playmakers on the defensive side of the football for the next four weeks of the season.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted that linebacker Willie Gay Jr. has been suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Back in January, Gay was visiting the mother of his infant son and proceeded to get into an argument with her that led to various household items getting damaged, including a vacuum cleaner, which led to his arrest in Overland Park, Kansas, on misdemeanor property damage. In court, Gay pleaded not guilty to the charge but agreed to a diversion program, which required him to undergo mental health counseling for the next 12 months.
Gay will not appeal the suspension, per Fansided’s Matt Verderame. By serving the suspension, Gay can not return to the Chiefs’ practice facility until October 3 and attend meetings ahead of the team’s October 23 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.
Losing Gay for four weeks will be a massive blow to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, and the Chiefs will need to figure out how they’ll handle his absence. This could be an opportunity for rookie Leo Chenal to receive extra snaps. Kansas City also has linebackers Elijah Lee and Jack Cochrane, who both signed on from the practice squad, as well as Darius Harris that can step in also.
Through two regular season games, Gay has 16 tackles (8 solo), a QB hit, and two pass deflections in 2022.
