The Chicago Bears will be without defensive lineman Montez Sweat for their next two games after he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league's Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy. The suspension means Sweat will miss two games without pay.
Sweat will be absent for the Bears' Week 6 road game against the Atlanta Falcons and their Week 7 Thursday night home game against the New England Patriots. This comes after the Bears' 31-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
In the current season, through five games, Sweat has recorded two sacks and seven combined tackles. His absence impacts a Bears defense that ranks fifth in the NFL in opponent points allowed (19.2 per game). The team's defense also holds top-10 rankings in opponent total yards (ninth), opponent rushing yards (ninth), and opponent passing yards (12th), and is tied for 13th in sacks with 11.0.
Last season, Sweat accumulated 10.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, five passes defended, and 53 combined tackles. He is currently in the third year of a four-year, $98 million contract.
The Bears, who hold a 3-2 record, are also managing the absence of starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who has been out since Week 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum have been starting in Williams's place, though he is expected to return soon.