The NFL have announced that the suspension previously given to Buffalo Bills‘ running back Marshawn Lynch will stand for the start of the 2009 season.

Lynch will miss the season opener against in-division rivals the Patriots, then against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints. Fred Jackson will likely get the start and Dominic Rhodes, signed in this off-season from the Colts, will see some time too.

We currently have them coming in third in this division. If there’s a upside to the suspension, it’s that Lynch will only miss one game in-division: He’ll be back for the trip to Miami in week 4.