The Washington Redskins finalized a contract on Monday to bring back veteran cornerback Phillip Buchanon, and today they announced that he has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season.

The Redskins knew of Buchanon’s pending suspension before they signed him. No announcement has been made yet as to why Buchanon will be on a time out for the first quarter of the season.

This will be Buchanon’s second season with the Redskins. He was used primarily as a third cornerback in 2010 when he made two interceptions and had 49 tackles. He did start five games in place of Carlos Rogers.

Follow me on Twitter: @BradBiggs

Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune