CLOSE
SportsPulse: Dak Prescott explains why he doesn't consider last season to be a 'sophomore slump' and thinks the Dallas Cowboys offense this year could shock some people. USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston is expected to miss the first three games of the 2018 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
ESPN and the Tampa Bay Times are reporting the suspension is related to an incident in March 2016 in which Winston allegedly groped an Uber driver.
According to a story published last November by , the driver said Winston grabbed her crotch while they were sitting at the drive-through window of a Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Although she didn't go to police, she filed a complaint with Uber.
Uber issued a statement in November after the initial story was published: "The behavior the driver reported is disturbing and wrong. The rider was permanently removed from the app shortly after we learned of the incident."
Winston denied the allegations: "The accusation is false, and given the nature of the allegation and increased awareness and consideration of these types of matters, I am addressing this false report immediately."
After an eight-month investigation by the NFL, the Times reports a suspension could be announced as early as Friday.
Bucs QB Jameis Winston is expecting to be suspended three games by the NFL for as early as Friday but before July 4 after an 8 month probe into allegations he groped a female Uber driver in March 2016. He's not expected to appeal.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) June 21, 2018
There were questions about Winston's character during his college career at Florida State, where he was accused of rape by a female student in 2012. No charges were ever filed.
Winston ended up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. In his third NFL season, he threw for 3,504 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Bucs went 5-11 last year.
The Buccaneers' first three games this season, which Winston would miss under the suspension, are the regular-season opener Sept. 9 at New Orleans, a Sept. 16 home date vs. the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and a Monday night home game Sept. 24 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He would also lose $124,000 of his base salary for this season of $705,000.
Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner
Facebook
NFL offseason workouts
Posted!
A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts as he jokes with players and coaches during the NFL football team's practice in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, June 14, 2018.
Chuck Burton, AP
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Alvin Jones, left, runs a drill during an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters in Owings Mills, Md., Thursday, June 14, 2018.
Patrick Semansky, AP
Washington Redskins running back Derrius Guice (29) carries the ball past Redskins running back Martez Carter (22) Redskins running back Kapri Bibbs (35) during drills as part of veteran minicamp at Redskins Park.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throw passes during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility.
Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a pass during Vikings minicamp at TCO Performance Center.
Brad Rempel, Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck passes the ball during minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on June 12.
Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst catches a pass during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 12.
Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin makes a catch during minicamp at the ADPRO Sports Fieldhouse on June 12.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski catches the ball during an NFL football minicamp practice, Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass.
Steven Senne, AP
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs trough drills during an NFL football practice in Metairie, La., Thursday, June 7, 2018.
Gerald Herbert, AP
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz.
Matt York, AP
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz in action during an organized team activity at the NFL football team's facility, Wednesday, June 6, 2018, in Philadelphia.
Matt Slocum, AP
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) hands off to running back Frank Gore during practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at the Dolphins training facility in Davie, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee, AP
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes to running back Jaylen Samuels (38) during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, June 6, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
Keith Srakocic, AP
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) winds up for a pass during an NFL football minicamp practice, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass.
Steven Senne, AP
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) and quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warm up during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio.
Ron Schwane, AP
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) fist bumps wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10) during the team's practice in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, June 4, 2018.
Chuck Burton, AP
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims III (34) cuts around outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (28) during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, May 31, 2018, in Tampa, Fla.
Chris O'Meara, AP
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) reaches for the ball during an NFL football practice in Metairie, La., Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Gerald Herbert, AP
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws the ball during the organized team activities training event at the SAP Performance Facility in Levi's Stadium.
Stan Szeto, USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) hands off to running back Tarik Cohen during practice at the NFL football team's training camp Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Lake Forest, Ill.
Charles Rex Arbogast, AP
Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake runs through drills during an NFL organized team activities football practice, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at the Dolphins training facility in Davie, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee, AP
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) rolls out to pass during an NFL football practice Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Flowery Branch, Ga.
John Bazemore, AP
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross reaches for a pass during practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Cincinnati.
John Minchillo, AP
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly, left, runs a drill during practice at the NFL football team's facility in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, May 29, 2018.
Chuck Burton, AP
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard, right, practices at the team's NFL football training facility in Alameda, Calif., Tuesday, May 29, 2018.
Jeff Chiu, AP
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, center, looks to pass during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Tuesday, May 29, 2018.
Michael Owen Baker, AP
New York Jets quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater, left, Sam Darnold, center, and Josh McCown throw during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Tuesday, May 29, 2018.
Seth Wenig, AP
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackles Will Richardson Jr., left, and Cam Robinson perform a drill during an NFL football practice Friday, May 25, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla.
John Raoux, AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball during an NFL football practice at the teams practice facility in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, May 24, 2018.
Orlin Wagner, AP
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin, right, squares off against tight end Will Dissly (88), during a drill in NFL football practice, Thursday, May 24, 2018, in Renton, Wash.
Ted S. Warren, AP
Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes during an NFL football team practice, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Ashburn, Va.
Nick Wass, AP
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jon Bostic (51) goes through a drill as other linebackers watch during NFL football practice, Thursday, May 24, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
Keith Srakocic, AP
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to throw a pass during OTA's at the ADPRO Sports Fieldhouse.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and quarterback Taysom Hill (7) race to reach a marker on the field during organized team activities at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility.
Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs through drills during organized team activities at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at The Star.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) during Green Bay Packers Organized Team Activities at Ray Nitschke Field.
Jim Matthews, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Chad Thomas (92) runs a drill during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility.
Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) takes the handoff from quarterback Blake Bortles (5) during organized team activities at TIAA Bank Field.
Reinhold Matay, USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) runs a drill in front of linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during organized team activities at NovaCare Complex.
Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi (26) runs with the ball during organized team activities at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) catches a pass during organized team activities at Gillette practice fields.
Stew Milne, Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Training Center.
Noah K. Murray, Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during organized team activities at the team outdoor practice facility in Houston, Texas.
Shanna Lockwood, USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots running back Sony Mitchel (51) catches a pass during organized team activities at Gillette practice fields.
Stew Milne, USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams receiver Brandin Cooks (12) catches a pass as safety John Johnson III (43) defends during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws the ball during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostic Training Center.
Noah K. Murray, Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes against cornerback Eli Apple (24) and defensive back Orion Stewart (45) during practice at Quest Diagnostic Training Center.
Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) during a catching drill at Quest Diagnostic
Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports
Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:
Replay
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Show Captions