Flowery Branch, GA -- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Newman was suspended four games by the NFL on Saturday for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Newman, 26, will be sidelined for Atlanta's first four games.

"This was an inadvertent mistake," the 6-foot-2 linebacker said in a statement on the team's website. "Evidently I took a supplement of some sort that had a derivative that is against NFL policy. Either way it was a mistake, and I will have to serve my penalty."

Newman spent the last four seasons in Buffalo before being signed as a free agent by Atlanta in the offseason. Last year, he started 16 games for Buffalo. and finished with 46 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

During 2000, his most productive season and first as a starter for the Bills, he registered 96 tackles and eight sacks.

In 52 career games, Newman has collected 238 tackles and 14 1/2 sacks.

Also Saturday, the Falcons waived 16 players, including wide receiver MarTay Jenkins, who was signed by the team in the offseason.

Jenkins played the past four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals after being claimed off waivers in 1999 -- his rookie season. He was originally drafted by the Cowboys that year as the 193rd pick overall.

The Nebraska-Omaha product competed in just eight games last season after suffering a fractured scapula on November 3 against the Rams. He then spent the rest of the year on injured reserve. Jenkins finished with just 21 catches for 250 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 20 kicks for 559 yards, including a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Atlanta also waived several veterans, including center Kevin Dogins, defensive ends Ronald Flemons and Reggie Grimes, tackle Robert Hicks and guard Michael Moore. Also cut were several first-year players, including running back Jeff Chaney, linebackers Tony Ortiz and James Cotton, tackle Dwayne Morgan, quarterback David Rivers and cornerback Jason Waters.

Rookies waived by the Falcons include safety Waine Bacon, wide receiver Jon Olinger, defensive end Raymond House and linebacker Recardo Wimbush.