Charley Casserly of CBS reports that the appeal hearing regarding the three-game suspension of Jags receiver Matt Jones will be held on December 4.

Presumably, a decision will be made within a week or so thereafter, since only four games will remain in the season when the hearing occurs.

Jones was arrested in the offseason for felony cocaine possession.  He resolved the charge by entering a pre-trial diversion program, which exposed him to punishment under the league’s substance-abuse policy. 

The league subsequently imposed the three-game suspension, and by rule it cannot be implemented until Jones has exercised his appeal rights.

Jones, who was believed to be in danger of being cut after the arrest, made the team and is having one of his better seasons.  If the Jags can climb back into the wild-card race, the team will need him for the stretch run. 

They might have to find a way to get by without his services.