The Jets took another hit to their defense Wednesday when the team announced linebacker Brandon Copeland will be suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Copeland is the second Jets player who’ll have to sit out the first four games due to suspension, joining tight end Chris Herndon, who pleaded guilty to DWI in January.

Making matters worse, the Jets lost starting linebacker Avery Williamson to a season-ending knee injury in last week’s preseason game in Atlanta.

Copeland released a statement on Instagram, saying he took the substance unknowingly.

“I’ve spent the better part of 28 years building and working on my legacy. This offseason, I began taking a supplement AFTER multiple verifications that it was safe for me to use. Unfortunately, this supplement was contaminated with a banned substance — NOT on its label. Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body,” he wrote. “I trust that the ppl who know my heart understand that I would never intentionally take a banned substance. To be quite honest, Im very fond of hard work and wouldn’t want success with the artificial help.”

The suspension will cost Copeland $356,617.

The 28-year-old Copeland worked his way into the starting lineup last season, starting 10 games and producing a career-high five sacks. For much of this training camp, though, Copeland had taken on a smaller role, often working with the second and third teams.

Copeland, who’s eligible to return to the team Oct. 7, was an undrafted free agent out of Penn. He played three seasons for the Lions before joining the Jets in 2018. After last season, he signed another one-year deal with the Jets.

The Jets will replace Copeland with Frankie Luvu and rookie Jachai Polite.