Rams OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar suspended four games

The NFC West was a busy day of suspensions as 49ers defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs was suspended one game for violating the league's substance abuse policy, and Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was suspended four games for violating the league's Performance Enhancing Drug policy. Dunbar has stated that he will not appeal the suspension, admitting he mistakenly took something that prompted the failed drug test.

Dunbar's suspension will go into effect Week 1, which means he will miss the Rams Week 4 matchup with the 49ers. Dunbar plays outside next to middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, and as Turf Show Times put it, he provided dependable stability for the young middle linebacker. Advanced NFL Stats rated Dunbar the eighth best linebacker in the NFL last season, while Pro Football Focus rated him  fourth among 4-3 outside linebackers. This was a guy people liked.

For 49ers, he is most notable for his jarring hit on Alex Smith in Smith's final game appearance with the 49ers. The concussion reportedly came on a QB sneak later, but one has to wonder if that hit shook him up a little bit.

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