Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Frank Alexander was suspended 10 games without pay by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Alexander had just returned to the Panthers on Monday after sitting out the first four games of the season for another substance abuse policy violation.

The latest suspension begins immediately. Alexander now won’t be able to return until after the Panthers’ Week 15 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Alexander was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 and played well as a rookie before struggling last season.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder saw action in all 16 games as a rookie and had 18 quarterback pressures, 25 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and four passes defensed.

Last year, Alexander participated in 12 games and logged 12 tackles, one sack, five quarterback pressures and two passes defensed.