Manziel suspended 4 games

The NFL has suspended free-agent quarterback Johnny Manziel four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to multiple reports.

It's a major blow to Manziel's hope of a comeback to professional football. The former first-round pick has generated no known interest from any teams since his March release by the Cleveland Browns and has been a mainstay in the tabloids because of his hard-partying ways.

It's unclear what Manziel did to prompt this suspension. He has scarcely stayed out of trouble since entering the NFL and has been linked to drug use on numerous occasions. Manziel's father recently called his son a "druggie" and suggested Manziel should be in jail.

Also looming for Manziel is a pending legal case for a domestic incident in which his ex-girlfriend claims he struck her several times and threatened to kill her. A recent text message accidentally sent by Manziel's lawyer to The Associated Press revealed his client is seeking a plea deal.

Manziel faces up to a year in prison if convicted of domestic violence and is subject to an additional suspension under the NFL's personal conduct policy regardless of whether or not he is convicted.

Curiously, Manziel didn't cooperate with the players' union's attempts to help him appeal Thursday's substance-abuse suspension, according to FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo.