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The NFL has suspended Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat for two games without pay for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. Sweat will miss upcoming games against the Falcons and Patriots.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Also in: Español
The NFL has issued a two-game suspension without pay to Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league announced the suspension on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Sweat will miss the Bears' upcoming games against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and the New England Patriots on Thursday, October 22. According to NBC Sports, he will be eligible to return in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Shaw Local reports that he will be eligible for reinstatement on October 23, after the game against the Patriots.
The NFL did not provide specific details on what Sweat allegedly did to violate the policy. However, NBC Sports notes that a two-game suspension is typically the penalty for a first offense of a player testing positive for a stimulant, diuretic or masking agent. Players who test positive for anabolic steroids are typically suspended at least six games.
Sweat, 30, is in his fourth season with the Bears after joining the team via a midseason trade from the Washington Commanders in 2023. He was a first-round pick in the 2019 draft and has been a full-time NFL starter since entering the league.
This season, Sweat has started all five games and played 69 percent of the Bears’ defensive snaps. His statistical output varies slightly by source:
Due to the conflicting reports on tackles for loss, the exact number is not definitively established across all outlets. Last season, Sweat led the Bears with 10 sacks.
The suspension comes as the Bears deal with defensive uncertainty. The team recently suffered a 31-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers, their worst defensive performance of the season. Additionally, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo suffered a quad injury in that game, and the team is evaluating whether to activate Shemar Turner from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Austin Booker has contributed four sacks this season, including two in the loss to the Packers.
The suspension removes a key starter from the Bears' defensive line during a critical stretch of the season. With the team currently 3-2 and in a tie for second place in the NFC North, losing Sweat for two games places additional pressure on the remaining defensive players to maintain performance levels while the team navigates other injury concerns.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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