We have some bad news for the Detroit Lions. As the Lions prepare for a Sunday NFL Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the Lions best defensive players has been suspended. Ndamukong Suh has been suspended due to a questionable situation involving Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
During the Packers/Lions NFC North divisional matchup, Suh stepped on the leg and foot of Aaron Rodgers. Check out the NFL’s statement below and tell us if Suh should be suspended. Suh plans to appeal the suspension but if his appeal is denied, this could be Suh’s last game as a member of the Lions as he will be a free agent.
NDAMUKONG SUH SUSPENDED ONE GAME FOR VIOLATION OF PLAYER SAFETY RULES
Defensive tackle NDAMUKONG SUH of the Detroit Lions has been suspended without pay for this Sunday’s Wild Card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys for a violation of safety-related playing rules in last Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
In the fourth quarter with Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS on the ground in a defenseless posture, Suh backed up and stepped on Rodgers’ left leg with his right foot. He then stepped on Rodgers’ left leg again, this time with his left foot, applying pressure and unnecessarily pushing off Rodgers’ unprotected leg with his left foot, violating playing rules prohibiting unnecessary roughness.
The suspension was imposed by NFL Vice President of Football Operations MERTON HANKS. Hanks ruled that Suh engaged in a non-football act which placed his opponent, Rodgers, at unnecessary risk of injury – specifically the second step and push off, which could have been avoided.
In his letter to Suh, Hanks noted, “You did not respond in the manner of someone who had lost his balance and accidentally contacted another player who was lying on the ground. This illegal contact, specifically the second step and push off with your left foot, clearly could have been avoided.” Hanks further noted “you unnecessarily stepped on your opponent’s unprotected leg as he lay on the ground unable to protect himself.”
Suh will not be permitted to attend team meetings and functions; attend or watch practices; appear at the club’s facilities for any reason; attend press conferences; appear at the team’s January 4 game, or have contact with any club personnel except to arrange off-site medical treatment or rehabilitation. Suh will be reinstated on Monday, January 5.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension may be appealed within three business days. Appeals are heard and decided by either DERRICK BROOKS or TED COTTRELL, the officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
For a detailed description of the on-field player discipline process, please visit NFLmedia.com or NFLcommunications.com.
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