Bears' Montez Sweat Suspended After Violating NFL's PED Policy, Latest on Pro Bowler's Eligibility

The Chicago Bears will be without one of their pass rushers for the next two games.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Montez Sweat has been suspended for two games without pay after violating the NFL's Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy.

Through five games, Sweat has logged five tackles and a pair of sacks, the third-most on the team. The 2023 Pro Bowler is coming off a season that saw him record 53 tackles and a career-high 10 sacks.

Sweat starts on the left side for Chicago, meaning Austin Booker will likely take over that role for the time being.

The good news is that Booker, a fifth-round pick in 2024, is putting together a career season so far, recording 14 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles. He's already surpassed his career high in forced fumbles and is just half a sack away from matching his career high in that category.

While losing Sweat is a tough break for the Bears, it will give Booker the chance to get an increase in reps.

Unfortunately for Chicago, right defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is questionable heading into Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons because of a quad injury, so the team could be without another pass rusher.

Sweat will miss Sunday's game in Atlanta and a Thursday night matchup with the New England Patriots in Week 7. He'll be reinstated after that game, which will put him back on the field for a tough matchup against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears are coming off arguably their worst performance of the year in a 31-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

▶️ Full Bears-Packers Recap

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Injuries have been the story for the Bears early in the season, as they've been without quarterback Caleb Williams since Week 2. Williams has a chance to return to action this week, but is still questionable heading into Sunday.