The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) announced on Friday that the 25-year-old had tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin after Sassuolo's 2-2 draw at Cagliari on December 1.
Chorionic Gonadotropin has been linked as a treatment for cancer, with Acerbi having undergone surgery for testicular cancer in July.
However, with CONI - and Sassuolo themselves - having confirmed that no application for any therapeutic exemption was made, Acerbi was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal.
The 25-year-old, who has previously spent spells with Milan and Genoa, was not included among the 23-man squad announced on Saturday for Sassuolo's first competitive meeting with the Serie A champions.
Coach Eusebio Di Francesco is also without on-loan striker Domenico Berardi, with the in-form teenager set to miss out against his parent club due to suspension.
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
