Steelers CB Cameron Sutton suspended 8 games by NFL after domestic violence incident

For his involvement in an alleged domestic violence incident that led to criminal charges being filed, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton will miss almost half of the 2024 regular season.

The NFL on Monday announced that Sutton, who returned to the Steelers in June after spending last season in Detroit, has been suspended for eight games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Sutton’s suspension carries through the Steelers’ game Oct. 28 against the New York Giants. After having their bye week, the Steelers play in Week 10 at the Washington Commanders on Nov. 10.

Sutton was charged after an incident in Hillsborough County, Fla., in March that led to a warrant for his arrest on domestic violence charges against his girlfriend. He was accused of domestic battery by strangulation in the morning hours March 7. The third-degree felony carried charges of up to five years in prison.

The Lions released Sutton when the battery charge became public, and Sutton eluded police for several weeks before turning himself in to the county sheriff’s office March 31. Sutton was released on his own recognizance, and prosecutors reduced the charge to misdemeanor battery.

On April 8, Sutton entered a pretrial diversion program to resolve the case, and he had to undergo a mental health evaluation as a condition of the program.

The Steelers signed Sutton to a one-year contract June 5, and he spoke with reporters after his first workout with the team.

“Adversity strikes everyone in life,” Sutton said. “It’s about how you handle it and how you go through those phases and knowing who you are individually and not letting someone else dim your light.”

Sutton said he was prepared to face the punishment that was coming from the NFL.

“We’ve been in communication, but there’s not much I can talk about on the legal end or with the league,” Sutton said. “Whatever it comes down to, we’re ready to move in that direction.”

Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers did their “due diligence” investigating the matter and felt comfortable bringing back Sutton.

Sutton’s eight-game suspension matches the penalty handed down to former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, who sat out the first half of the 2020 season for violating the personal conduct policy. The Steelers traded Brown after the 2018 season.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first six games of the 2010 season after being accused of sexual assault by two females. Roethlisberger appealed, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reduced the suspension to four games.

Sutton spent his first six seasons with the Steelers and started as an outside cornerback in 2021 and 2022. The Lions lured Sutton to Detroit with a three-year, $33 million contract, and he started all 17 games in his lone season in the Motor City.

The Steelers brought back Sutton despite his legal issues because of his experience in the secondary, which included starts in nickel and dime packages. Sutton has made 56 career starts among his 101 appearances.

Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson will start at outside corner for the Steelers this season, leaving Sutton to compete for playing time at slot cornerback.