Chicago Bears nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff was suspended for three games by the NFL after violating the NFL’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, the league announced in a statement Monday.
Ratliff will miss the Bears’ first three games of the season, and will be eligible to return to the lineup for the team’s Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders.
Here is the full statement issued by the NFL:
“Jeremiah Ratliff of the Chicago Bears has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the 2015 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Ratliff will be eligible to return to the Bears’ active roster on Monday, September 28 following the team’s September 27 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“Ratliff is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.”
Ratliff will miss the Bears’ games against the Packers, Cardinals, and Seahawks to start out the season.
