Former Gamecock Alshon Jeffery Suspended Four Games by NFL

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (ESPN) — Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended without pay for the next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Jeffery is eligible to return to Chicago’s active roster following the Bears’ game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 11.

“Obviously, we are very disappointed,” coach John Fox said.

Jeffery — playing under the franchise tag worth $14,599,000 in 2016 — leads the team with 630 receiving yards. He is second on the club with 40 receptions.

Entering Week 10, Jeffery ranked eighth in the league in receiving yards since 2013, and he is fifth in franchise history with 13 games of 100-plus receiving yards.

The 26-year-old Jeffery will be a free agent this offseason, unless the Bears again apply their franchise tag on him.

Already without 2015 first-round pick Kevin White (injured reserve); the Bears will be perilously thin at receiver during Jeffery’s four-game absence. After veteran Eddie Royal, the most productive player on the active roster is second-year wideout Cameron Meredith, who originally played quarterback in college at Illinois State University.

In five seasons, all with the Bears, Jeffery has 292 receptions for 4,358 yards and 25 touchdowns.