Kansas City, Mo. ? Kansas City Chiefs tackle John Welbourn, who unexpectedly retired in June, was suspended for six weeks Wednesday for violating the league’s drug policy.

Welbourn, who was also suspended for the first four games in 2005 under the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, had asked to be reinstated, said Chiefs president Carl Peterson.

The Chiefs still have Welbourn under contract for three years. And with the unexpected retirement in July of Pro Bowl left tackle Willie Roaf, they have a need at offensive tackle. But whether the 30-year-old Welbourn is taken back remains to be seen, Peterson said.

“We’ll determine that after the suspension is finished. I’m not going to comment on that,” Peterson told the Associated Press.

The Chiefs had placed him on the reserve-did not report list.

“Obviously, I knew about this for some time,” Peterson said. “I guess you could say we anticipated this.”