Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Mike Thomas will sit out for the first four games of the 2017 season. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Rams/Twitter

July 14 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Rams Wide receiver Mike Thomas will start the season on the bench after being suspended for four games Friday by the NFL.

He received the ban for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances.


Thomas will be eligible to return on Monday, Oct. 2, following the Rams' Oct. 1 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He will not be paid during the suspension.

The sixth round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft had just three catches for 37 yards in 15 games last season. He also had 180 yards on nine kick returns for the Rams.

The Carolina Panthers originally traded its sixth round pick, which would later become Thomas, to the Chicago Bears in 2015 in exchange for Jared Allen.

The Bears traded that pick (Thomas) and a 2014 fourth round pick to the Rams in 2016 for a 2016 fourth round pick.

Missing out on time this season isn't great for Thomas' future outlook with the franchise. The Rams added Robert Woods in free agency this offseason, used a third round pick on Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and spent a fourth round pick on Texas A&M's Josh Reynolds. Los Angeles still has Tavon Austin leading the Rams' wide receiver corps.

Thomas can participate in preseason games and practices.

The Rams report to training camp on July 28 and begin practices on July 29.