Brian Sochia, starting nose tackle for the...

Brian Sochia, starting nose tackle for the Miami Dolphins, was suspended for five weeks by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on steroids.

“It’s a real disappointment,” Coach Don Shula said. “Brian knew he was going to be tested when training camp opened.”

Sochia’s suspension stems from tests on all of the Dolphins at the start of camp in mid-July. Shula said there was no indiction the team has a widespread problem with steroids or with street drugs.

Sochia, an eighth-year player, will have to sit out the next two weeks and the first three weeks of the regular season. If he shows no traces of the substance in another test, he will be reinstated for the fourth game.

Sochia is the fourth player, all linemen, suspended for violating the league’s policy on steroids. The others are offensive linemen Carl Bax of Tampa Bay, John Brandom of Phoenix and Louis Cheek of Dallas.