Ravens safety Matt Elam was arrested on drug charges early Sunday morning in Miami.
According to Miami-Dade records, Elam faces charges of possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, possession with the intent to sell cannabis, possession of a controlled substance, and a count of reckless driving. He was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bail amount of $15,500 on Sunday morning.
Pro Football Talk first reported the arrest as police said 126 grams of marijuana and three grams of oxycodone were found in his vehicle.
Despite missing the entire 2015 season with a torn biceps suffered in training camp, Elam was suspended for one game that year for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
The 2013 first-round pick is scheduled to become a free agent next week after four disappointing years in Baltimore. The Ravens were already not expected to prioritize re-signing him this offseason after they previously chose not to pick up his fifth-year option, but they confirmed Sunday morning that he will not return.
“We are aware of the arrest of Matt Elam,” the statement read. “Matt is not in our plans for the 2017 Ravens.”
The University of Florida product appeared in nine games this season, making four tackles and primarily playing on special teams. In 41 career games with the Ravens, the 25-year-old has collected 131 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and seven pass breakups.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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