Report: Chiefs DT Mike Pennel suspended for 2 games

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel will miss the first two games of the season after reportedly being suspended by the NFL.

Pennel, whose midseason addition during the 2019 season helped shore up Kansas City’s defensive line rotation and run defense en route to the Super Bowl LIV title, will miss the season-opener against Houston and AFC West-opener at the Los Angeles Chargers due to the two-game suspension.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero was the first to report the suspension.

Pennel, 29, who was born in Topeka, signed a one-year deal worth a little more than $1 million in the offseason to stay with the Chiefs. He apologized after word of the suspension was announced.

In a statement on Twitter, Pennel apologized 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," Pennel said. "I am truly sorry and ask for your grace and forgiveness. I promise to return with a vengeance in our journey to RunItBack!"

He made 24 tackles, including two for a loss with one sack, in eight regular season games for Kansas City last season.

Pennel also made seven tackles during the Chiefs’ three postseason games, including an assist and a pass deflection against San Francisco in the Super Bowl.

This isn’t the first time he’s run afoul of the NFL.

He was suspended twice during the 2016 season with Green Bay, including at least once for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The Packers released Pennel in January 2017 before a playoff game against Dallas.

Pennel is the second Chiefs player to be suspended this offseason.

Cornerback Bashaud Breeland was suspended for the first four games of the season last week.