Bears LB Jerrell Freeman suspended four games for violating PED policy

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of what could potentially be their worst season since 1973. At 2-8 on the season, Chicago simply hasn’t been able to compete on a consistent basis this year.

Now, with Alshon Jeffery serving a four-game suspension, the team’s roster is also taking a major hit. Add in the injury to fellow receiver Kevin White, and this is only magnified further.

Unfortunately for the Bears, we can add another important contributor to those players who will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Starting middle linebacker and leading tackler Jerrell Freeman has reportedly been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy against performance enhancing drugs.

This is a major blow to a Bears defense that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL in points allowed. Though, Freeman himself has played a major role in the unit’s improvement in defending the pass. It currently ranks 12th in the NFL in that category.

Thus far this season, the veteran linebacker has recorded 91 tackles and three passes defended. With him out, the Bears will have to go back to the drawing board when it comes to defending the middle of the field. That starts this weekend against stud tight end Delanie Walker and the Tennessee Titans.

For his part, Freeman released a statement on the suspension.

We’re not exactly sure what’s going on in Chicago, but he’s now the second player in less than a week to be suspended for violating the NFL’s PED policy.