Tuesday 15 November 2016 09:52, UK
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended for four games for a violation of the NFL's drug policy.
Jeffery will be sidelined until Chicago's week 15 clash with the Green Bay Packers after being found to have taken a performance-enhancing substance.
He has caught 40 passes for 630 yards and a touchdown this season, which could turn out to be his last for the Bears - Jeffery is currently playing on a $14.6m franchise tag deal.
The suspension could cost him when it comes down to negotiating a deal any other NFL franchise next summer as he will be given a more severe ban if he fails a further doping test in the future.
"We're obviously very disappointed," Bears coach John Fox said.
"We know Alshon is embarrassed by it. Disappointed would be a good word for the rest of us. Overall, disappointing would be the word I would use.
"I look at it like a lot of things we've been through already. We will have to have somebody else step up. We'll treat it like an injury moving forward."
Cameron Meredith will most likely become the No 1 receiver for the Bears, who lost 36-10 to Tampa Bay on Sunday, in Jeffery's absence.
That defeat dropped them to a 2-7 record and in line for a potential top-three pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.