For the second time in less than three weeks, Patriots coach Bill Belichick fielded questions about one of his players being suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Neither suspension, Belichick said, had to happen.

The NFL announced Monday that defensive end Jermaine Cunningham was to immediately begin a four-game suspension, so he will miss Sunday’s game at Miami, home dates with Houston and San Francisco, and the Dec. 23 game at Jacksonville. Running back Brandon Bolden has been out since Nov. 9 and is eligible to return next week. The league does not specify what substance triggers the discipline.