The NFL has suspended Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks for eight games after he pleaded guilty to federal insider trading charges, the league announced Tuesday.
He previously had been suspended indefinitely under the league's personal conduct policy.
Kendricks will be credited for three games he already missed, meaning he will be eligible to play again on December 10 when the Seahawks meet the Minnesota Vikings on "Monday Night Football."
The suspension begins immediately and Kendricks can return to the team on November 12 for meetings and practice. He may appeal but has not indicated if he will do so. As it stands, he will be back for the playoff run for the Seahawks (4-3).
In August, federal authorities charged Kendricks with the crime, alleging he had made $1.2 million ($A1.7m) illegally through tips from an acquaintance. After the news of his involvement broke, he was released by the Cleveland Browns, whom he signed with in the off-season.
The Seahawks signed Kendricks last month to a one-year contract worth almost $750,000 ($A1m) and he played in three games before the suspension was handed down October 7.
Kendricks entered a guilty plea to the charges on September 6 and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24. Under federal guidelines, he could be sentenced to between 30 and 37 months in prison, according to ABC News.
Kendricks has repaid the money he made through the insider trading and apologised, saying, "I wholeheartedly regret my actions."
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