Seahawks Dee Eskridge suspended 6 games violating NFL personal-conduct policy.

Seahawks receiver Dee Eskridge suspended for first six games of 2023 season for violating NFL's personal-conduct policy.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge has been suspended for the first six games of the 2023 regular season due to a violation of the NFL's personal-conduct policy, as announced by the league on Friday. The suspension will end on October 23, following the Seahawks' game against the Arizona Cardinals.

According to records from King County court, Eskridge received a suspended sentence on May 25 for a fourth-degree misdemeanor assault charge. The charge stemmed from a criminal complaint filed against Eskridge on February 6, related to interfering with reporting domestic violence.

Eskridge, also known as D'Wayne, received a deferred sentence for the incident. His agency, the Wasserman Media Group, released a statement on his behalf, stating that he took responsibility for his role in the incident and entered into an agreement to have the misdemeanor charges dismissed after completing domestic violence moral recognition therapy within 12 months. Eskridge has already enrolled in and begun therapy. The statement emphasized that Eskridge has not been convicted of any crime and entered into the agreement in the best interest of his family. He expressed deep regret for any embarrassment caused to his family, the Seahawks, and the NFL.

The Seahawks acknowledged the situation in a statement, stating that they are aware of it and have followed league and law enforcement protocol.

The NFL's statement clarified that Eskridge will be allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games.

Eskridge, who was selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft as the 56th overall pick from Western Michigan, has faced injuries that limited his playing time in the past two seasons. He has played in only 20 out of 34 regular-season games, making 17 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. However, he has been fully healthy this year and has received praise from coaches and teammates for his strong performance during the spring and early training camp. He was expected to secure a spot on the team's 53-man roster for the regular season and compete as a kick returner, having returned seven kickoffs for 150 yards last season.

Eskridge is currently in the third season of his four-year rookie contract, which has the potential to pay him up to $5.9 million with $3.2 million fully guaranteed. However, there is no more guaranteed money in his contract. If released, Seattle would incur $884,914 in dead money against their salary cap in 2023 but would save $778,771, according to OvertheCap.com. His base salary for 2023 is $1.201 million, but he will not be paid for the first six games due to the suspension.

At the receiver position, Eskridge appeared to be competing for one of the remaining spots on the team's 53-man roster. The top three spots seem to be secured by Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team's first-round draft pick in 2023.