New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2009 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, the league announced Thursday.

New York will be without one of its prized defensive playmakers for road dates against Houston and New Orleans as well as home games against New England and Tennessee.

"This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League's policy," Pace said in a statement. "I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League's guidelines. I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl."

The seventh-year pro remains eligible to participate in practice during training camp and can compete in New York's preseason games.

Pace registered a career-high seven sacks and tied for the team lead with five forced fumbles in 2008, his first year in New York. He added 80 tackles, including a team-best 12 behind the line of scrimmage, in playing all 16 games for the Jets after signing a lucrative free agent deal in the offseason.

The 28-year-old played his first five seasons with Arizona and in 83 career games has 262 tackles and 21 sacks.