NFL suspends Montez Sweat for two games

The NFL has suspended Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat without pay for two games for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Tuesday. The suspension removes a starting pass rusher from Chicago’s next two games, against the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. The NFL has not disclosed what specific conduct or substance led to the violation. Its announcement also did not say whether Sweat would be fined. The league’s stated basis is a policy violation; the details behind it have not been made public. Sweat is eligible for reinstatement on Friday, October 23, after the Bears’ game against New England, according to reports citing the NFL. He would miss the Falcons game on Sunday and the following Thursday’s matchup with the Patriots. The schedule places his possible return after those two absences. The suspension is without pay. One report estimated Sweat would forfeit about $2.32 million, calculating the amount from his reported $20.9 million base salary and two weeks of missed pay. That figure is an estimate, not an amount stated by the NFL.