KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 12, 2005) -- Chiefs cornerback Eric Warfield has been suspended for the first four games of the 2005 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

The 29-year-old was arrested Sept. 20, 2004 in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kan. Police said Warfield had a blood alcohol level of .189 percent, more than double the state's .08 percent legal limit.

He pleaded no contest in January to a felony charge of driving under the influence, his third DUI in as many years. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 80 days of house arrest.

His agent, Craig Domann, confirmed the suspension in a statement released July 12. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment.

Officials with the Chiefs would not comment on specifics, but said the decision was no surprise.

"This has always been a possibility," said Bob Moore, a team spokesman. "It's not something the team hasn't been prepared for."

The Chiefs will now have to find a starter opposite Patrick Surtain for the first month of the season.

The Chiefs have signed veteran Ashley Ambrose, and still available is former Patriots All-Pro Ty Law. But he is coming off an injury and the Chiefs have shown little interest.

Warfield's suspension also means the Chiefs must play their first four games, three of them against playoff teams last year, without their most reliable cornerback. Kansas City faces the Jets, Raiders, Broncos and Eagles at the start of its season.

"Eric has benefited from this process and he is a better person, citizen and teammate because of it," Domann said. "I expect Eric to bounce back in a big way and have one of his best seasons yet."

The season will be Warfield's eighth with the Chiefs. He has started in all but one of Kansas City's last 64 games. He had four interceptions in each of his last four seasons.