NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL rejected an appeal by the NFL Players Association on Thursday on behalf of suspended Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell turned down Jones' request for leniency on Nov. 6. The NFLPA appealed that ruling as excessive and had a hearing by telephone on Dec. 14. But Jones must serve the final two games of his seasonlong suspension.
"Commissioner Goodell notified Adam Jones today that his suspension for the 2007 season will not be modified," the league said in a statement.
"Once the Titans have concluded their 2007 season, Jones may begin limited activities at the club's facility and, assuming no further problems, will be eligible to participate fully in Tennessee's offseason workout program."
Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone. The NFLPA did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.
The Titans (8-6) are contending for their first playoff berth since 2003.
Goodell suspended Jones, the sixth pick overall in the 2005 draft, for the season in April. Las Vegas police said Jones incited a strip club fight that led to a triple shooting Feb. 19, leaving one man paralyzed. He pleaded no contest in early December to a disorderly conduct charge, agreeing to a year probation, random drug testing, community service and anger management classes.
Jones has been arrested six times since being drafted, including two arrests in Georgia in 2006 that the Titans did not learn about until 2007.
Charges in two other cases are pending. A felony obstruction charge in Georgia from February 2006 is on a court docket for March, and public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges in Tennessee from August 2006 are on a court docket for Jan. 3.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.
