Bears' Montez Sweat Draws 2-Game PED Ban, Thinning Defensive Line

Q: What undisclosed substance triggered Montez Sweat's suspension just as the Chicago Bears face a critical edge-rusher crisis?

The substance has not been publicly identified. The NFL announced only that Montez Sweat violated its performance-enhancing substances policy, and multiple reports say the league did not disclose what specific substance triggered the two-game suspension. What is clear is the timing and impact. Sweat will miss Week 6 against Atlanta and Week 7 against New England, leaving Chicago short-handed at edge rusher just as Dayo Odeyingbo is dealing with a quad injury and Shemar Turner is only just returning from the physically unable to perform list after ACL rehab. Sweat had seven tackles and two sacks through five games, and his absence removes one of the Bears’ most established pass rushers at a moment when the defensive front is already under strain. Chicago is now likely to lean more heavily on Austin Booker and other depth options while Turner is eased back into action. So the direct answer is that the triggering substance remains undisclosed; neither the NFL nor the Bears have released that information.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 13

Montez Sweat was suspended two games without pay for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, sidelining the Bears' top edge rusher for Week 6 against Atlanta and Week 7 against New England.
The NFL did not disclose the substance, and Sweat is eligible for reinstatement on Oct. 23 after serving the ban.
Chicago's defensive front was already short-handed after Dayo Odeyingbo exited Sunday's loss to Green Bay with a quad injury, with coach Ben Johnson offering no update Monday.
Shemar Turner has been activated from the PUP list after a torn ACL, but defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said it is unrealistic to expect him to handle a full game workload immediately.
Sweat, 30, had seven tackles and two sacks through five games in his eighth NFL season and third full year with the Bears.