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Jets RB Mike Goodson returns, suspended for first 4 games of regular season

Jets running back Mike Goodson has been suspended four games by the NFL. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Jets running back Mike Goodson was arrested on drugs and weapons charges. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

New York Jets running back Mike Goodson has returned to the team. But the Jets announced that he has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, stemming from a May arrest.

The Jets placed Goodson on the active/non-football injury/illness list.

“I’ve been away from the team to take care of some important personal things," Goodson said in a statement released by the Jets late Monday night. "The time was helpful to me and now that I am back, I am going to do everything I can to contribute to the team. I appreciate all of the support from the Jets organization and I’m thankful to be back with my teammates.”

Goodson was arrested in May during a traffic stop in New Jersey after he was found passed out in a car that was stopped in the left-center lane of I-80.

Goodson was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun, possession of hollow-point ammunition, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Goodson was released on $50,000 bail after spending more than 12 hours in jail.

Goodson's arrest happened just two months after the Jets signed him to a three-year, $6.9 million contract.

“Mike Goodson returned to the team today after taking time away to focus on a personal matter," the Jets said in a statement. "While we welcome Mike back to the organization, we have had direct conversations to make our expectations very clear as we work together to help him move forward in a positive manner, both on and off the field."