New York Jets
IN PHOTO: Dec 29, 2014; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets chairman and chief executive officer Woody Johnson addresses the media regarding the dismissal of general manager John Idzik (not pictured) and head coach Rex Ryan (not pictured) at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. REUTERS/Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson has been suspended by the NFL for four games for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy. He will be eligible for return in Week 5 when the Jets take on the Carolina Panthers.

Richardson released a statement regarding the substance abuse case and was apologetic about his actions.

"I apologize for letting down my family, teammates, this organization and the fans. However, words aren't enough. This is something that can only be addressed by how I handle myself from this point on," Richardson, who will enter his third year in the league, said in an official statement.

"I don't want this to take away from what the team is trying to accomplish. While I won't be there at the start of the regular season, I will do whatever I can to support my teammates until I'm able to return to the field."

The 24-year-old Richardson has played all games in the regular season in his first two years in the league accumulating 144 tackles and 11.5 sacks.