The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open the season without quarterback Jameis Winston Anthony Munoz Jersey , who has been suspended three games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Winston said in a statement released on Facebook that the NFL informed him of their decision on Thursday. The discipline stems from the league’s investigation of an accusation that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner groped a female Uber driver during a ride the quarterback took in Arizona, where Winston was attending a charity event in March 2016.

The driver did not file a criminal or civil complaint, however she reported the incident to Uber. The NFL learned of the allegation, when it was reported publicly last November.

”The league promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation that included interviews with several persons, including the driver, Winston and others with relevant information,” the NFL said in a statement announcing the suspension. ”The league also examined an extensive amount of other evidence, including telephone records, business records, data from electronic devices and other communications.”

The Bucs drafted Winston No. 1 overall in 2015 Brian Urlacher Jersey , despite questions about the young quarterback’s behavior during his college career at Florida State.

Winston, 24, was accused of raping a fellow student at FSU, but was never charged. The university settled a Title IX lawsuit over its handling of the allegations with Winston’s accuser, Erica Kinsman, in January 2016 for $1.7 million.

Winston said in his statement Thursday that ”in the past 2 years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn.” Winston added that he has eliminated alcohol from his life.

Winston, who’s thrown for 11,636 yards and 69 touchdowns in three NFL seasons Taylor Gabriel Jersey , has started 45 of the Bucs’ past 48 games. He missed three games last season with a shoulder injury and the Bucs finished 5-11, missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season.

He will miss the Bucs’ season opener at New Orleans on Sept. 9, as well as homes games against defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He will be eligible to return to the team on Sept. 25, the day after Tampa Bay plays the Steelers.

The league said Winston is also required to have a clinical evaluation and cooperate in any recommended program of therapeutic intervention.

”All members of our organization are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the personal conduct policy of the NFL,” the Bucs said in a statement. ”We are disappointed that Jameis put himself in a position that has been found to violate the policy and accept today’s decision by the commissioner.”

The suspension will cost Winston $124,411 of his base salary of $705,000 for the upcoming season. The quarterback is set to earn $20.9 million in 2019.

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Coach Vance Joseph said he doesn't expect defensive end Derek Wolfe to miss any time after sustaining a neck stinger at practice Tuesday.

"He should not. He came back to practice. So, he should be ready to go tomorrow," Joseph said.

Wolfe had surgery this offseason after dealing with neck problems off and on since 2013 , when he got hurt in a preseason game at Seattle.

Joseph described the latest scare as "a little small stinger Derek Wolfe Jersey ," adding, "he's fine. He came back out. He's OK."

Left guard Ron Leary tried to calm Wolfe as he retreated to the sideline to get checked out.

"Wolfe's just a real passionate guy, so he always wants to be out there and anytime he gets a nick and can't perform, he's heated," Leary said. "And Wolfe don't listen to too many people. But I've known him for a while and he knows it's all love when it comes from me. So, it was a good little convo."

Wolfe has dealt with neck issues ever since being whisked from the field in an ambulance after a hit to his head and neck in a preseason game in Seattle five years ago. Later in the 2013 season he suffered seizure-like symptoms on his way to a game and missed the team's Super Bowl run.

Wolfe also missed two games in 2016 because of a sore neck and last year he went on IR after injuring his neck in a game against Oakland on Nov. 26.

Just last weekend Wolfe spoke about how nice it was to play without neck pain and muscle weakness following his offseason surgery, which allowed him to hit the weights with extra fervor.

"You get to focus on your technique more because you're not worried about protecting yourself. You open your game to a lot more, especially pass-rush wise," Wolfe said Saturday. "You don't have to worry about if that center comes and hits you in that right side, 'Oh Tyler Kroft Jersey , I'm going to lose that feeling in my right arm so I have to protect it.' When you can really work your pass-rushing moves all the way through, it changes your game."

Notes: ILB Brandon Marshall (sore wrist) will return to contact drills Wednesday. ... LT Garett Bolles returned to practice one day after being carted off and examined for a head injury. ... CB Bradley Roby, who's stepping into a fulltime starter's role following the trade of Aqib Talib, got some friendly advice from Joseph heading into camp: "I told Bradley, 'I don't want to judge you on how many plays you make; you're judged on how many plays you give up.' That's what I want from our corners. And if you're in a good position, you'll make enough plays. But don't cheat in order to make plays because that's not what winning's about. That's about you.' So, he's doing a good job playing within the scheme and playing with good technique and just doing his job."

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