Kwon Alexander faces four-game PED suspension

UPDATE -- post-game:

Bucs LB Kwon Alexander said he is appealing four-game suspension. Said he took an energy drink he didn't know contained anything banned.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 22, 2015

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may lose rookie linebacker Kwon Alexander for four games to a PED-suspension, Ira Kaufman and Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports. He'll be allowed to play in today's game, but the Tribune notes the Bucs should receive a letter notifying them of the suspension on Monday, meaning he'll miss the four of the team's final six games if he decides not to appeal the decision. If he does, the suspension may be overturned, but is more likely to be pushed forward -- suspensions are very rarely overturned.

Alexander has been a revelation at middle linebacker after being drafted out of LSU in the fourth round this year, putting up two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Although he's had his struggles, as all rookies do, he looks like a future mainstay.

If Alexander misses four games, the Bucs are likely to turn to Bruce Carter or Danny Lansanah at middle linebacker. The former was signed from the Cowboys this offseason as a prospective middle linebacker, but Alexander beat him out in the preseason. Lansanah has been the team's main strongside linebacker the past two games.

Update: According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Alexander took an over-the-counter supplement containing a banned substance. That's the excuse they always give, though -- and players have to know they can't just take over-the-counter supplements.