Patrick Peterson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2019 season after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, ESPN reported, citing unidentified league sources.
The circumstances around the suspension, such as the substance allegedly used and when the PEDs were used, have not been revealed.
The Cardinals cornerback originally was going to appeal the suspension, but decided to accept the punishment. The official ban is expected to be handed down next week.
Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, will miss the Cardinals' season opener against the Lions, then will have to sit out games against the Ravens, Panthers, Seahawks, Bengals and Falcons.
The first game he will be allowed to return to the field is against the Giants on Oct. 20.
Peterson apologized Thursday night at a charity event ahead of his fourth annual celebrity golf tournament that benefits the Patrick Peterson Foundation for Success.
"I think you guys understand my character and also understand my commitment on and off the field, and also to my teammates and to the Arizona Cardinals organization," Peterson said (via USA Today). "That's why this is apparently very, very hard for me, because obviously I've never been in this situation before and never wanted to have my name attached to anything like this.
"I'm looking to move forward, put this behind me, and I thank my family, teammates, the coaching staff and the Arizona Cardinals community, and also the organization. ... I'm going to try to continue and keep that smile on my face, and get back to being the best DB in the league."
According to the ESPN report, the Cardinals had been aware of Peterson's upcoming suspension and use the 33rd overall pick in last month's draft to select cornerback Byron Murphy.
The relationship between the Cardinals and Peterson already had been tense, with Peterson reportedly unhappy with the team and requesting a trade all the way back in October. He previously said he "desperately" wanted out of Arizona, which finished the 2018 season with a league-worst 3-13 record.
He hasn't reported to voluntary OTAs, which new head coach Kliff Kingsbury brushed off last month.
"It's voluntary," Kingsbury said last month. "I communicated with Patrick. We know where he's at and we know what's going on. Kind of a conversation to keep between ourselves. If he hadn't communicated and we didn't know what was going on, I think that would be a different matter. It is a voluntary camp. We know that Patrick wants to be here and wants to be a part of this team."
Peterson has two years remaining on his contract and was scheduled to make $11 million this season before he was suspended. Due to missing six games, he will forfeit $3,882,352.