NFL notes: Bears' Alshon Jeffery suspended four games

Chicago receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended four games by the NFL for violating its policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the league announced Monday.

Jeffery is under contract with the Bears for only seven more games, having been designated the team's franchise player in 2016 for a one-year salary of $14.6 million.

"I know Alshon is embarrassed by it," coach John Fox said. "I'm sure 'disappointed' would be a good word for the rest of us."

Jeffery is eligible to return Dec. 12 and play the final three games, beginning with the Bears' game against the Packers on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Green Bay is going through arguably one of the most challenging periods of Mike McCarthy's tenure.

They've lost three straight games to fall under .500 . The defense has crumbled. Injuries are mounting on the line in the pass-heavy offense.

McCarthy vowed that mistakes will be addressed, and plans tweaked for Sunday's game at Washington.

But since winning the first six games of the 2015 season, Green Bay is 9-12, including the playoffs.

"Well, I mean, let's just state the facts: I'm a highly successful NFL head coach,'' McCarthy said. ''With that, I've never looked at the ride to this point as smooth ... To me, it's always bumpy and to me that's the joy of it," McCarthy said.

"Really, what you did last year or 2010, as we know, doesn't factor. ... To me, you have to stay in tune with the now. Obviously, people outside of our room don't feel really good about the now. Personally, I enjoy these type of moments," he added. "This is about our team and I trust and believe in what we do every day."

•The Rams say defensive end Robert Quinn is in stable condition after checking himself into a hospital because of an illness that's unrelated to football.

•The Chargers lost nose tackle Brandon Mebane for the rest of the season because of a torn biceps.