Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery is suspended

Star receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended for four games without pay Monday for violating NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances, another blow to the 2-7 Chicago Bears. He said he took a supplement for inflammation containing a league-banned substance.

“I take full responsibility and I’m deeply upset with myself for not doing the proper research on this supplement,” he wrote in a Twitter post. “. . . I will work hard to earn back the respect and trust of the Bears nation.”

Brother of Jaguars’ Smith is killed

Jacksonville linebacker Telvin Smith’s 25-year-old brother Brian was shot to death in south Georgia, authorities said and the Jaguars confirmed. Police in Valdosta, Ga., said no arrests had been made and appealed to the public for help.

Ratings surge

The first Sunday night game after the election produced the highest NFL ratings since Week 2, with an average of 22.51 million viewers tuning in for Seattle’s 31-24 victory over New England.

NFL ratings have declined this year, and one theory attributes that to strong interest in last Tuesday’s election.

The Seahawks-Patriots game drew a 12.7 rating, 11% better than last year’s Week 10 game. And the second half of Fox’s Sunday doubleheader, featuring Dallas’ 35-30 win over Pittsburgh, drew a 17.8 overnight rating average, the highest-rated individual game this season.

Etc.

Atlanta tight end Jacob Tamme is probably facing season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. ...

San Diego nose tackle Brandon Mebane will miss the rest of the season because of a torn biceps.