The San Diego Chargers were notified today by the National Football League that linebacker Stephen Cooper will miss the first four regular-season games of 2008 for violating the NFL policy on Steroids and Related Substances. The following statement was issued today by an NFL spokesperson: Stephen Cooper of the San Diego Chargers has been suspended without pay for the team?s first four regular-season games of 2008 for violating the NFL Policy on Steroids and Related Substances. Cooper's suspension begins on Saturday, August 30. He is eligible to return to the Chargers? active roster on Monday, September 29 following the team?s September 28 game against the Oakland Raiders. Cooper is eligible to participate in the team?s off-season program and in all preseason practices and games. [Note: The NFL Policy on Steroids and Related Substances is posted on nflmedia.com. From the home page, click on ?Resources? and then ?About the NFL.?] Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner issued the following statement: ?Obviously we?re disappointed, just as I know Stephen is. Coop made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences. It?s unfortunate, but we?ll deal with it and move on.? Cooper said in a statement that he has accepted a four-game suspension for his use of a stimulant that was recently added to the NFL?s List of Prohibited Substances and that the stimulant was not used prior to any game or with the intent to enhance performance: ?I regret that I mistakenly took a stimulant that I did not realize at the time was banned by the NFL. I support the NFL?s anti-doping policies, and understand that I must serve a suspension even though the stimulant that I took was not used before any game and was not used to enhance my performance. I apologize to the NFL, my team, my coaches, and to my fans, and I look forward to continuing to help the Chargers toward our goal of winning the Super Bowl in the upcoming season.?