Bears DT Nate Collins suspended one game for violating NFL substance abuse program

NFL player Nate Collins attends the 2nd Annual Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards at Barker Hangar on February 18, 2012 in Santa Monica, California. / Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images

(AP) LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The NFL says Chicago Bears defensive tackle Nate Collins has been suspended without pay for the upcoming season opener for violating its substance abuse program.

The punishment was announced Thursday. The league did not say what the violation was.

Collins was also fined an additional game check but will be able to return to the active roster on Sept. 10, a day after the opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

He is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

The Bears signed Collins to a one-year deal in May. He played in 13 games over the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Collins entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia with the New York Giants in 2010.