The NFL suspended Bears veteran defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff three games Monday for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The punishment stems from Ratliff’s DWI plea following a crash over two years ago, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Bears DT Jeremiah Ratliff suspended 3 games for substance abuse
Ratliff’s suspension is another blow to a Bears defense that can’t afford to take any more hits.
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Ratliff, 33, was given one year probation and fined in May after pleading guilty to a DWI charge from January 2013. He was arrested in Grapevine, Texas, in the early morning after he crashed his pickup truck into an 18-wheeler. Tests determined Ratliff’s blood-alcohol level was .16, which is more than twice the legal limit. The four-time Pro Bowler was fined $750 and is currently on probation.
#Bears DL Jeremiah Ratliff on suspension: "I’m going to do what I have to do and I’ll come back Week 4 and be ready to play.”
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 24, 2015 This has not been a banner offseason for the Bears' defensive line, as the club was forced to release new acquisition Ray McDonald in May after his second domestic violence arrest in less than a year.
The Bears’ defense gave up the third-most yards in the league last season, and surrendered the second-most points as well. Chicago struggled against the pass in particular, as it allowed over 260 passing yards per game.
Ratliff recorded 6.5 sacks in 11 games last year, so his three-game absence will create quite a pass-rushing void for the Bears to fill. The schedule isn't easy, either, as Chicago opens up its season with games against the Packers, Cardinals and Seahawks. All three clubs made the postseason in 2014.
Ratliff is expected to return to game action in Week 4 when the Raiders visit Soldier Field.
NFL Suspensions in 2015
| Player | Team | Length | Reason |
| WR Josh Gordon | Cleveland Browns | 16 games | Substance abuse |
| DE Dion Jordan | Miami Dolphins | 16 games | Substance abuse |
| S LaRon Landry | Free Agent | 10 games | PED policy |
| WR Ace Sanders | Free Agent | 10 games | Substance abuse |
| WR Jerome Simpson | San Francisco 49ers | 6 games | Substance abuse |
| QB Tom Brady | New England Patriots | 4 games | DeflateGate |
| TE Antonio Gates | San Diego Chargers | 4 games | PED policy |
| DE Greg Hardy | Dallas Cowboys | 4 games | Domestic violence |
| DE Derek Wolfe | Denver Broncos | 4 games | PED policy |
| DE Sheldon Richardson | New York Jets | 4 games | Substance abuse |
| LB Rolando McClain | Dallas Cowboys | 4 games | Substance abuse |
| RB Trey Watts | St. Louis Rams | 4 games | Substance abuse |
| OL Eben Britton | Free Agent | 4 games | Undisclosed |
| OLB Victor Butler | New York Giants | 4 games | PED policy |
| OL Ryan Seymour | Cleveland Browns | 4 games | PED policy |
| DT Jeremiah Ratliff | Chicago Bears | 3 games | Substance abuse |
| CB Sean Smith | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 games | Substance abuse |
| OT Bobby Massie | Arizona Cardinals | 3 games | Substance abuse |
| DT Letroy Guion | Green Bay Packers | 3 games | Offseason arrest |
| RB Le'Veon Bell | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 games | Substance abuse |
| CB Jabari Price | Minnesota Vikings | 2 games | Substance abuse |
| WR Da'Rick Rogers | Free Agent | 2 games | DUI |
| DT Akeem Spence | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 game | Substance abuse |
| FB Orson Charles | New Orleans Saints | 1 game | Personal conduct |
| RB LeGarrette Blount | New England Patriots | 1 game | Substance abuse |
| DT Marcell Dareus | Buffalo Bills | 1 game | Substance abuse |
| RB Ahmad Bradshaw | Free Agent | 1 game | Substance abuse |
| DE Datone Jones | Green Bay Packers | 1 game | Substance abuse |
| OL Oday Aboushi | New York Jets | 1 game | Substance abuse |
| CB Bashaud Breeland | Washington | 1 game | Substance abuse |
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