The NFL suspended Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat for two games on Tuesday for violating its performance-enhancing substances policy. The suspension lands after a 31-7 loss to Green Bay, forcing the team to rely on rookie Shemar Turner.
The NFL has suspended Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat for two games following a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league announced the punishment on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. According to reports, Sweat will miss the next two contests, which include a Sunday road game against the Atlanta Falcons and a home matchup with the New England Patriots on October 22.
The suspension represents a significant setback for the Bears, who are attempting to bounce back from a 31-7 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Sweat has recorded two of the team’s 12 sacks through the first five games of the season. His absence leaves the defensive line thin at a critical juncture in the early part of the campaign.
In response to the suspension, the Bears have activated fellow defensive lineman Shemar Turner to replace Sweat on the active roster. Turner, a 23-year-old second-round selection from last year’s draft, began the season on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from a torn ACL. His return to the active roster provides the team with additional depth on the defensive front.
Sweat, a 6-foot-6 defensive end, was originally selected by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent more than four seasons with Washington before being traded to Chicago on October 31, 2023. Since joining the Bears, Sweat has recorded 23 1/2 sacks in 47 games, including 10 sacks last season. His career total stands at 59 sacks in 114 games.