Saints' Snead suspended 3 games

New Orleans Saints receiver Willie Snead has been suspended the first three games of the 2017 season, head coach Sean Payton confirmed Friday.

Snead had been suspended four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy but had the ban reduced to three after an appeal, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The violation stems from an offseason DUI arrest, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, though Payton would not confirm the details.

The 24-year-old receiver was expected to be a starter for the Saints, along with Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr., after racking up 895 yards on 72 catches with four touchdowns in 2016. Brandon Coleman and Tommylee Lewis will likely compete to fill Snead's role in his absence.

Snead released a statement Friday evening apologising for the actions leading to his suspension: