Winslow Is Suspended for Four Games Ron Antonelli for The New York Times Kellen Winslow, the Jets" leading receiver, was suspended for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Kellen Winslow, the Jets" leading receiver, will miss the next four games after being suspended for violating the N.F.L."s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Winslow is eligible to return to the active roster on Nov. 4, but because of a bye week for the Jets, he will next be available for their Nov. 17 game at Buffalo. In a statement released by his publicist, Winslow said that the positive test came as a "huge surprise" and that he did not know the source. Winslow added that he did not take any supplements that list ingredients banned by the league, "but the N.F.L. policy is very strict, so I am accountable for the results." The suspension was announced Friday by the league, about two hours after a news conference at which Coach Rex Ryan acknowledged that Winslow had been excused from practice without divulging a reason. "I'd rather not get into it," Ryan said. Winslow emerged as one of the surprise stories of the summer, parlaying a tryout in minicamp into a spot on the 53-man roster. He resuscitated his career after a balky right knee limited him to one game last season, with New England, and he developed an easy rapport with the rookie quarterback Geno Smith. But after catching six passes Sept. 29 in Tennessee, Winslow saw his role in the offense diminish Monday night in Atlanta, where he caught a critical fourth-quarter touchdown but played fewer snaps (19) at tight end than Jeff Cumberland (35). On Friday, Ryan deflected a question about Winslow's potential unhappiness by citing the growth and production of Cumberland, who has caught seven passes for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns. After the Atlanta game, Winslow declined an interview request, and he did not speak with reporters in the locker room on Wednesday or Thursday, inviting speculation that he was frustrated about the decline in his playing time. With the Patriots last season, Winslow asked for his release because he realized that Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez would receive the bulk of the work at tight end. "I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches and Jets fans for this situation," Winslow said in the statement. I will work extremely hard during this time away from the field and look forward to contributing to the team as soon as the suspension ends. It is possible that Winslow will return in a month to a team that has moved on without him, one that is moving forward with Cumberland and, perhaps, Zach Sudfeld, who was claimed off waivers last week from New England. Winslow has dealt all season with chronic knee problems that have limited his practice availability. He has played in every game, however, catching 17 passes for 169 yards while creating opportunities for receivers on the outside by drawing attention over the middle. It was a busy day for the Jets, who were relieved to learn that the knee injury Antonio Cromartie sustained in practice Thursday, when he crumbled to the ground while trying to change direction during goal-line drills, was not serious. Cromartie is the Jets" top cornerback, one of the best in the league, and a serious knee injury would have dealt a devastating blow to a team that is 3-2 and soaring after defeating Atlanta. Ryan's fears were allayed when testing revealed no ligament damage - just a hyperextension - but he will not know until Sunday morning whether Cromartie will be able to play that afternoon against Pittsburgh. "It was one of those hold-your-breath-type deals," Ryan said. I did, at least. He added, "We'll give him every benefit of the doubt." Cromartie, who through a team spokesman declined to speak to the news media, is officially listed as questionable. Santonio Holmes and Dee Milliner have been ruled out with hamstring injuries. If Cromartie cannot play, Kyle Wilson will shift to the outside opposite Darrin Walls, with Isaiah Trufant expected to play in nickel packages. Walls dropped an interception in Atlanta, and has struggled since replacing Milliner in the starting lineup, allowing 11 completions in two games for 107 yards and a touchdown, according to ProFootballFocus. Ryan was asked how Cromartie's absence would alter his game plan for Sunday. "Well, we'll see," Ryan said. Or, hopefully we won't.