Patriots' Branch, Bears' Freeman issued four-game bans

New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch and Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman were each issued four-game suspensions Monday by the NFL involving substances banned by league policy.

Branch was handed a four-game ban for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to a posting on the NFL website, but will appeal the punishment, keeping him eligible to play Sunday at the New York Jets.

Freeman was hit with a four-game ban for a violation of the NFL performance-enhancing substances policy, an immediate suspension that will sideline the 30-year-old defender for games against Tennessee, San Francisco, Detroit and Green Bay. He could return on December 19 ahead of a game against Washington.

"I would like to apologize to my coaches, teammates, the Bears organization and Bears fans for the embarassment I've caused myself and them," Freeman said in a Twitter posting.

"I made a mistake with my prescription medication for which I take full responsibility... I look forward to getting back on the playing field in four weeks and finishing the season on a positive note."

While the Bears are a woeful 2-8 on the campaign, the Patriots are 8-2 and only one game behind Dallas for the best record in the NFL.

Branch, 31, helps plug the middle of the defensive line for a Patriots unit that ranks about in the middle of the NFL at stopping opposing rushers. He is the oldest by four years of any New England defensive tackle and only one other has more than this season of experience.

ESPN reported Branch tested positive for marijuana, with four separate violations for marijuana required before a ban is issued under NFL rules.

After facing the Jets next Sunday, the Patriots meet the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and the Jets again in their next four games before closing the campaign at Miami.

Branch, in his 10th NFL campaign, was arrested during the 2014 pre-season for drink driving while with the Buffalo Bills, who released him soon after, setting the stage for him joining the Patriots in October 2014. He has made 33 tackles, including a sack, in 10 games for New England this season.