Ravens' Jimmy Smith suspended 4 games

The NFL announced Tuesday that Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith has been suspended for the first four regular-season games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

"The NFL found evidence of threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors by Jimmy toward his former girlfriend that showed a pattern of improper conduct. Our player’s behavior was inappropriate and wrong," the Ravens said in a statement, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "We will allow Jimmy to return to our team after his suspension. Jimmy has acknowledged his behaviors were wrong and accepts full responsibility for them."

Smith also released a statement on his suspension.

Rumors surfaced Monday that the 30-year-old was facing a multi-week suspension and met with NFL officials as part of his appeal.

The mother of Smith's first child said in November that the defensive back had a "history of substance abuse and illicit drug usage" and "a history of being physically violent" toward her, according to The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Barker.

Smith accumulated three interceptions and one fumble recovery in 2017. Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey, and Tavon Young will lead Baltimore's defensive backfield in his absence.