Jets' Brandon Copeland explains what led to four-game PED suspension

Jets LB Brandon Copeland was suspended on Wednesday for the first four games of the regular season in the latest hit to a Gang Green defense that recently lost Avery Williamson for the season.

Copeland, who will be eligible to return on Oct. 13 against the Cowboys, took to Instagram late Wednesday afternoon to explain what led to his suspension.

"I spent the better part of 28 years building and working on my legacy," Copeland wrote. "This offseason, I began taking a supplement AFTER multiple verifications that it was safe for me to use. Unfortunately, this supplement was contaminated with a banned substance -- NOT on its label. Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body."

Read Copeland's full statement below:

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God's Plan > My Plan I've spent the better part of 28 years building and working on my legacy. This offseason, I began taking a supplement AFTER multiple verifications that it was safe for me to use. Unfortunately, this supplement was contaminated with a banned substance - NOT on its label. Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body. I've had a roller coaster ride of a career and all of my previous test results have been negative. I trust that the ppl who know my heart understand that I would never intentionally take a banned substance. To be quite honest, Im very fond of hard work and wouldn't want success with the artificial help. Having to be away from my dream for something that was beyond my control will be tough for me however in similar fashion to how I handle other obstacles in my life I will approach this one with a "WATCH WHAT I DO WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY" mentality because my life dreams/missions still continue. Although I can NEVER make up for time loss on the field and away from my teammates who have become family, my team and I will be taking the necessary steps to rectify this situation to the fullest extent of the law. Understanding that God does not make mistakes, I will take this opportunity to thank Him for my blessings - the good, the bad and of course, the ugly. This is simply a chapter in my journey that is still being written. And as always, never let the obstacle become bigger than the OPPORTUNITY 🙏

A post shared by Brandon Copeland (@bcope51) on Aug 21, 2019 at 1:50pm PDT

Copeland, 28, played in all 16 games for the Jets in his first season with the team in 2018. He had five sacks, 35 combined tackles -- eight for loss -- 14 quarterback hits, and two passes defended.