San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson has been suspended for three games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, as confirmed by head coach Kyle Shanahan. This suspension adds to the team’s challenges at the wide receiver position due to existing injuries.
Demarcus Robinson is a veteran wide receiver who recently signed a two-year contract with the 49ers in March 2025, after previously playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. He was expected to contribute significantly to the team’s offense this season.
The NFL imposed a three-game suspension on Robinson for violating its substance abuse policy. This action is related to a DUI arrest that occurred in November 2024, to which Robinson pleaded no contest in July 2025 and was sentenced to three years of probation as part of the legal outcome.
The suspension was officially announced by Coach Kyle Shanahan on August 20, 2025, during an interview on KNBR radio. It will take effect at the start of the 2025 NFL regular season, causing Robinson to miss the first three games.
This event impacts the San Francisco 49ers, a professional football team based in California, and is part of the National Football League (NFL). The suspension is a league-wide disciplinary measure enforced under NFL policies.
The reason for the suspension is Robinson’s violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, specifically stemming from the DUI incident. The league has strict guidelines regarding player conduct and substance abuse, and violations can result in suspensions or other penalties.
The suspension was communicated through Coach Shanahan’s public announcement, and the NFL’s decision followed the completion of legal proceedings related to the DUI charge. The team was aware of the potential suspension since spring, as general manager John Lynch had mentioned it during NFL owners’ meetings.
The impact of this suspension is significant for the 49ers, who are already dealing with depth issues at wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2024 and may miss the start of the season, compounding the team’s challenges. In response, the 49ers traded for Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore on August 20 to bolster their receiving corps and provide additional options during Robinson’s absence.
Looking ahead, Robinson will be ineligible to play in the first three games of the 2025 season, and the 49ers will need to rely on other players like Skyy Moore and existing roster members to fill the gap. Robinson’s performance and conduct upon his return will be closely monitored, and this incident could affect his standing with the team and future opportunities in the NFL.