NFL suspends Bears DE Montez Sweat two games under PED policy

The NFL suspended Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat two games without pay on Tuesday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter both posted the league's ruling, and ESPN confirmed the details in its own story.

What is confirmed

Sweat, 30, will miss Chicago's Week 6 game at Atlanta and its Week 7 game against New England. He is eligible for reinstatement on Friday, Oct. 23, after the Patriots game, which lines him up to return for Week 8.

Through five games, Sweat has seven tackles and two sacks. He led the Bears with 10 sacks last season.

The Bears also activated defensive end Shemar Turner off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday. ESPN reports Turner will take Sweat's spot on the 53-man roster. Turner, a 2025 second-round pick, tore his ACL last October and has been back at practice since Sept. 23.

Why the timing hurts Chicago

The suspension lands on a defensive line that is already thin. Dayo Odeyingbo left Sunday's 31-7 loss to Green Bay in the first half with a quad injury and did not return, and coach Ben Johnson had no update on him Monday.

Austin Booker leads the group with four sacks. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said last week that players coming off the PUP list should not be expected to handle full-time snaps right away, so Turner is more likely to rotate than to absorb Sweat's full workload.

What RSO owners should do now

In IDP formats, Sweat is a two-week hole. Bench him for Weeks 6 and 7 and keep him rostered, since he is due back for Week 8 and a two-game absence is not a reason to cut a rostered contract. Owners who were counting on him for pass-rush points should look for a streaming option before waivers run.

Booker is the Bears edge rusher who gains the most from the extra snaps, and he is worth a look in deeper IDP leagues if he is still available.

For offensive owners, the Falcons get a weaker Chicago pass rush in Week 6, which helps the Atlanta passing game a little.

What to watch next

Watch the Bears' first injury report of the week for Odeyingbo's quad. If he also misses time, Chicago's edge group is down to Booker, Turner and depth players, and the snap share behind Booker becomes much less predictable.