Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances, the NFL announced Monday.
He will not receive pay and is eligible to play the Bears’ final three games.
“Obviously we’re very disappointed,” coach John Fox said. “I think he’s fairly embarrassed about it, but we’ll support him.”
On Twitter, Jeffery claimed that he took an anti-inflammatory that triggered the positive test.
“As a professional athlete, I have been careful about what I put in my body,” he wrote. “I took a recommended supplement to combat inflammation. Unfortunately this supplement contained an ingredient that was on the NFL’s banned substance list.
“I take full responsibility and I’m deeply upset with myself for not doing the proper research on this supplement. I want to apologize to my family, the Bears organization, my teammates, and Bears fans. I will work hard to earn back the respect and trust of the Bears nation and look forward to being back on the field.”
Before the statement, tight end Zach Miller presumed it was a mistake.
“I don’t see Al doing something like this out of intent to get a leg up or anything like that,” Miller said.” It’s just something that happened now and we’ve got to carry on and see if we can be better with the next four weeks without him and play better when he gets back.”
Fox said the team was made aware of the suspension Monday. His staff told players at Halas Hall when they were split into offensive and defensive groups.
Jeffery — who was voted a captain this year — had to leave the building.
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“I hope he stays in shape,” Fox said. “He’s done a pretty good job of that in the past. I think he understands how he’s got to go about it. I’m fairly confident he will.”
Jeffery had 40 catches for 630 yards and one touchdown this season. He will lose about $3.4 million.
He was making $14.599 million this season as a franchise tagged player.
