NFL notes

BEARS

Jeffery suspended

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended Monday for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the latest staggering blow for the reeling Bears.

Jeffery posted on Twitter that he took a supplement for inflammation containing a substance banned by the league.

“I take full responsibility and I’m deeply upset with myself for not doing the proper research on this supplement,” he wrote. “I want to apologize to my family, the Bears organization, my teammates, and Bears fans. I will work hard to earn back the respect and trust of the Bears nation and look forward to being back on the field.”

His suspension was another dose of bad news for a team that lost several players to injuries in a 36-10 loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday that left the Bears with a 2-7 record. Now they will have to get by without arguably their best player, starting with next Sunday’s game at the New York Giants.

Jeffery will be eligible to be activated Dec. 12 and play against Green Bay six days later. He leads the team with 630 yards receiving and is second with 40 catches.

Jeffery is playing for the $14.6 million franchise tag after he and the Bears were unable to agree to a longterm contract in the offseason. He was limited to nine games because of injuries a year ago, and now has a PED suspension hanging over him with his contract set to expire again.

VIKINGS

Kicker concerns Zimmer

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.— Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer was noncommittal Monday when asked about struggling kicker Blair Walsh’s future with the team.

Walsh missed his fourth extra point of the season in a 26-20 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Minnesota’s fourth consecutive defeat.

Zimmer said he has yet to talk to General Manager Rick Spielman about Walsh. But he did say the team will explore all the options available. Last week, the Vikings brought six kickers to team headquarters to work out, but ultimately decided to stick with Walsh, who has missed more extra points than any kicker in the league this season.

JETS

Bowles unsure about QB

NEW YORK — New York Jets Coach Todd Bowles said he will not make a decision until next Monday on New York’s starting quarterback for its game against New England on Nov. 27.

With a bye-week break ahead, Bowles will consider whether Ryan Fitzpatrick or Bryce Petty will give the struggling Jets (3-7) the best chance at beating the Patriots.

Bowles said Monday the players will practice today and then have the rest of the week off. The coaching staff will have meetings Wednesday and then take off until next Monday.

Petty, who played in junior high school at Cabot, made his first NFL start Sunday in place of Fitzpatrick, who is recovering from a sprained knee. The second-year quarterback was 19 of 32 for 163 yards with a touchdown, but he also threw a loss-sealing interception with less than two minutes left as the Jets fell to the Los Angeles Rams 9-6.

RAMS

Quinn hospitalized

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams said defensive end Robert Quinn is in stable condition after checking himself into a hospital with an illness that’s unrelated to football.

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that Quinn is still undergoing tests but “things look encouraging” after speaking to him and his wife, Christina. Fisher did not provide details about the nature of Quinn’s medical issue.

“He is feeling much better,” Fisher said. “He kept saying to me over and over, ‘Coach, I just want to get back and get my body right and get on the practice field as fast as I can.’ ”

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