Alshon Jeffery Suspended for PED Policy Violation: Latest Details and Reaction
Published by Joe Pantorno on November 14, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended for the next four games for violating the NFL‘s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the team announced Monday.
Jeffery later released a statement on his suspension, via Rand Getlin of GQ:
Jeffery is the Bears’ No. 1 receiver with 40 catches for 630 yards and one touchdown.
The 26-year-old is in his fifth season in the NFL but has had difficulties stringing together full seasons. Injuries have forced him to play in 10 or fewer games in two of the previous four years, but the Bears still used the franchise tag on him prior to 2016.
According to Spotrac, Jeffery was expected to make just under $14.6 million this season. Per ESPN’s Adam Caplan, Jeffery will lose out on $3.435 million during his suspension.
“We all love Alshon,” tight end Zach Miller told reporters. “It’s not a good situation.”
Jeffery developed into one of the most dangerous outside threats in football during his healthy stretches thanks to his 6’4″, 230-pound frame and highlight-making athleticism despite unrest at the quarterback position surrounding Jay Cutler, as seen in the 2:45 mark of the following video:
With this suspension, though, the Bears will be without their two best wide receivers, as Kevin White has been on injured reserve since early October.
The injuries have left head coach John Fox in a tough predicament, as he told the media, via Kevin Fishbain of the Northwest Herald:
While Jeffery serves his suspension, the Bears’ aerial game will rely on Miller, who leads the team with 44 receptions, and veteran Eddie Royal.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jeffery will be eligible to return after Chicago’s Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions.
But at 2-7, Chicago’s bad season is only getting worse.
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