ALAMEDA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders fullback Luke Lawton has been suspended four games without pay by the NFL for violating the league’s policy against performance enhancing substances.

The 29-year-old Lawton, who has played in 13 games with three starts this season, will miss the Raiders’ final two games this season and lose nearly $63,000 in pay. A free agent next year, he would also have to sit out the first two games of the 2010 regular season with whatever team he signs with.
Lawton has seven catches for 31 yards this season.
The NFL sent out a two-paragraph statement Thursday announcing the suspension. Raiders coach Tom Cable was not available for comment.