Patriots' Watson says he's facing 4-game PED suspension

It appears Benjamin Watson won't be on the field to begin the 2019 season.

Watson, who came out of retirement and signed with the New England Patriots on May 10, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday that he'll be suspended for the first four games of the 2019 campaign, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Set to end his NFL career following the 2018 campaign, the veteran tight end underwent a series of medical tests and was prescribed a "Bio Identical Testosterone Cypionate" to help heal his body, not knowing at the time he would return to the league. The medicine violates the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, and it was flagged when Watson completed a random drug test.

"At that point I knew that my decision to return to play would include a four-game suspension and I immediately discussed this new development with the (interested NFL) clubs," he said in the post.

Watson added that he was in constant communication with the Patriots, and thanked the team for allowing him to play one final year despite the failed test.

The 38-year-old previously spent six seasons with New England after the Patriots used a first-round pick to draft him in 2004.

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