Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been suspended for two games after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Tuesday. The suspension will sideline Sweat for the Bears’ upcoming games against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and the New England Patriots on October 22.

Sweat’s absence represents a significant setback for Chicago’s defense as the team aims to recover from a 31-7 defeat to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Standing 6-foot-6, Sweat has been a key contributor to the Bears’ pass rush, recording two of the team’s 12 sacks through the first five games of the season.

The suspension comes at a critical juncture for the Bears, who are seeking to improve their defensive performance amid a challenging start to the campaign. With Sweat unavailable, the Bears will need to rely on other players to fill the void on the defensive line during the next two contests.