After a rookie year that saw him compile 2.5 sacks, 18 tackles and three pass deflections, defensive end Frank Alexander appeared to have a bright future with the Panthers. But since that 2012 season, Alexander has mostly taken steps backward. His latest issue: The NFL announced Friday afternoon that Alexander has been suspended the first four games of the 2014 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Per NFL policy, the type of substance was not revealed.The third-year player will be allowed to participate in all upcoming offseason practices, training camp and preseason games. After serving his suspension, he can return to the active roster the Monday after Carolina’s Week 4 game in Baltimore.Alexander’s 2013 season started going downhill in Week 1 when he was ejected for throwing a punch at Seahawks offensive tackle Breno Giacomini. Alexander was a healthy scratch for four games, and his numbers dropped to one sack, nine tackles and two pass deflections. He was bypassed by Mario Addison on the depth chart, and undrafted rookie Wes Horton replaced Alexander in the lineup for the games he was inactive.Since Alexander had fallen out of favor, Friday’s news probably has little effect on the Panthers’ draft plans. Last month, the team signed defensive end Alex Hall after he racked up 15 sacks in the CFL last season.The suspension does hurt the Panthers’ depth at defensive end, and it makes you wonder how much remains of Alexander’s formerly bright future in Carolina.[share title=”Share this Post” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”true” linkedin=”true” pinterest=”true” reddit=”true” email=”true”][author title=”About the Author”]