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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel will be suspended for the first two games of the NFL season, according to the NFL’s official transaction wire, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Pennel will be unavailable for games against the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers before returning to play against the Baltimore Ravens.
#Chiefs DT Mike Pennel has been suspended the first two games of the 2020 season, per the transaction wire.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 25, 2020
Word of the suspension first emerged during a press conference with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo last week. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid later said he would comment on the matter once the suspension was announced by the league. Reid is expected to address the media on Wednesday.
Pennel, 29, apologized for the suspension by posting a note to his official Twitter account.
PENNEL: First and foremost, I want to apologize to my family, friends, teammates, coaches, the Chiefs organization and all of Chiefs Kingdom. Although I am completely unaware of how this occurred, I take full responsibility for what goes into my body and promise to be more vigilant moving forward. I am truly sorry and ask for your grace and forgiveness. I promise to return with a vengeance in our journey to RunItBack!
Pennel caught up with the Chiefs midway through 2019, playing in eight games. Pennel registered 24 tackles (13 solo), including two tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and two quarterback hits. He had seven tackles in the playoffs (two solo) and one pass defensed.
In Super Bowl LIV, Pennel hit 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garappolo on a play in the second quarter that led to a Bashaud Breeland interception.
Pennel served two four-game suspensions during his time with the Green Bay Packers in 2016. Both were for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He signed a one-year deal to return to the Chiefs this offseason.