Marshawn Lynch has rushed for 2,151 yards in two seasons. (Al Bello/Getty Images)The NFL confirmed Thursday that it has suspended Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for the first three games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
The Bills open the season at New England on Sept. 14.
Lynch, 22, met March 17 with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who wanted to discuss the player's legal problems.
Lynch was arrested Feb. 11 near Los Angeles, when police found a a semi-automatic handgun inside a backpack in the trunk of the parked car he was sitting in.
They also found four marijuana cigarettes, but no drug charges were filed.
Lynch pleaded guilty to possession of a concealed firearm — a misdemeanour — and was sentenced to three years probation and 80 hours of community service.
Last June, he received a traffic violation in Buffalo for striking a pedestrian and driving away.
Lynch told reporters March 18 — the day following the meeting with Goodell — that the NFL "won't tolerate any more screw-ups."
"It has kind of sunk in, and I felt that this was the next step to letting you guys know that there will be a change," Lynch said. "I never had the intention of getting into trouble or anything like that.
"But along the way, my road got rocky and now you know it is time to set my pavement straight."
Lynch rushed 250 times for 1,036 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games with the Bills last season, his second in the NFL.
He also made 47 receptions out of the backfield for an additional 300 yards and one touchdown.
Lynch has totalled 2,151 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 530 carries in 28 NFL games since he was drafted 12th overall by Buffalo in 2007.
With files from the Associated Press
