Bears DL Mario Edwards Jr. suspended two games

Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. was suspended two games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug ban.

Wild Card Round - Chicago Bears v New Orleans Saints — Defensive end Mario Edwards celebrates after the Bears recovered a fumble Sunday.

Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. was suspended two games by the NFL on Friday for violating its ban on performance-enhancing drugs.

Edwards is not under contract with any team next season, but he will serve the suspension whenever he signs. He would be able to play games and practice in the preseason.

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A former second-round pick by the Raiders in 2015, Edwards was a rotation player who stood out on passing downs. Edwards had a career-high four sacks in 15 games in 2020 after the Saints cut him before the start of the season.

He had four tackles, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit against the Saints in the playoff game Sunday.

The suspension is unrelated to Edwards’ legal issue last fall. Edwards was accused of assault after an incident that took place at the Bears’ team hotel Oct. 17, the night before the Bears played the Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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