Aqib Talib, an NFL cornerback serving a four-game doping suspension, was sent from Tampa Bay to the New England Patriots just ahead of the league’s trade deadline.
The Buccaneers received a fourth-round choice in the 2013 NFL Draft in exchange for Talib, a 26-year-old who admitted using the performance-enhancing substance Adderall in violation of the NFL’s drug policy.
Talib has made 18 interceptions, four of them returned for touchdowns, in 58 NFL games since being taken 20th overall in the 2008 NFL draft.
He was also indicted by a grand jury last year in Texas for felony assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend, charges that were later dropped for lack of evidence.
Talib, who was arrested by Florida police in 2009 after a dispute with a taxicab driver, had made 21 tackles and intercepted one pass before his ban.
He will not be eligible to play for the Patriots until November 18 in a home game against Indianapolis. Talib will miss New England’s next game on November 11 at home against Buffalo.
The Patriots’ pass defenders rank 28th in the 32-team league, surrendering an average of 281 passing yards a game.
Bucs send banned Talib to Patriots at trade deadline
