Vikings waive DeMarcus Love after 4-game suspension ends (original) (raw)

Tackle DeMarcus Love looks on during Vikings training campon July 27, 2013, in Mankato. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The Minnesota Vikings have waived offensive tackle DeMarcus Love, who had been suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing-drug policy, the team announced Tuesday.

Love, a sixth-round Vikings draft choice out of Arkansas in 2011, was eligible to return after missing the team's 1-3 start. The Vikings have a bye this week and will play next against Carolina on Oct. 13 at the Metrodome.

Love has claimed he didn't knowingly use a banned substance, that it was in a supplement he took during the offseason. His appeal was denied, and his suspension was announced Aug. 1.

"I was shocked," Love said at the time. "I've never cheated and never will. Not intentionally. Unfortunately, it's something that I can't change what happened. It didn't work out in my favor, so I've got to accept the consequences."

Love missed the 2012 season after surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. He was vying for a backup offensive line position.