The Bears will be without starting defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff the first three games of the coming season after he NFL concluded he violated their substance abuse policy. Ratliff pled guilty to a DWI in Texas two years ago after he was arrested for crashing his pickup truck with a blood alcohol content of .16, twice the legal limit. He was put on one year's probation after pleading guilty to that charge.
Chicago signed him to a two-year contract the following year, a move they wouldn't altogether regret.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection started eleven games for the Bears (5-11) last season, collecting 21 tackles and 6.5 sacks and, playing at the nose position, is expected to be the centerpiece of Vic Fangio's new defensive scheme in 2015.
The Bears may sorely miss Ratliff during those three games he'll be away. They'll tangle with the Packers, Cardinals, and Seahawks to open their campaign, facing high-quality rushers like Eddie Lacy and Marshawn Lynch in two of those contests.
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