New England Patriots rookie linebacker Michael Pinckney is facing NFL suspension for undisclosed reasons, according to Friday’s transaction wire.
Per Mike Reiss of ESPN and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, it is a six-game suspension for Pinckney, who has been a member of the New England practice squad since Oct. 2.
The 22-year-old University of Miami product went unselected in the spring after undergoing surgery to repair a torn hip labrum during the pre-draft process.
Pinckney appeared in 49 games and made 47 starts during his Hurricanes career. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker totaled 267 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery from his freshman season up through his senior season.
Pinckney was twice an All-ACC honorable mention before earning second-team All-ACC recognition last fall.
The Patriots, with an available practice squad of 15, host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.