[KC Chiefs.com] The Chiefs will play their season-opening game Sept. 9 against Atlanta without their best pass rusher, Tamba Hali.

The Pro Bowl linebacker was suspended for one game today by the NFL for a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. He will also be fined one additional game check.

Hali will be eligible to practice for the next two weeks and play in the final two preseason games. He won’t practice the week of the Atlanta game or play against the Falcons. But he can return to the Chiefs the day after the game and play in the next game on Sept. 16 against the Bills in Buffalo.

The NFL’s substance-abuse policy covers the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and alcohol, but not performance-enhancing drugs. Unlike the NFL’s PED policy, which calls for a four-game suspension for a first-time violation, penalties for substance-abuse violations are handled on a case-by-case basis by the league and commissioner Roger Goodell, according to NFL senior vice president of communications Greg Aiello.

Hali issued a statement through the Chiefs that indicated he would not appeal the suspension.