Suh Suspended For Wild Card Game Vs. Dallas; Expected To Appeal Ruling
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will be suspended for the team's NFC Wild Card playoff game against Dallas on Sunday.
Suh is expected to appeal the ruling. The incident in question happened Sunday in Green Bay as it looked as though Suh stepped backwards onto Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who was on the ground and shifted his weight backward onto Rodgers' leg.
The NFL confirmed the suspension in an official release.
"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."
Suh was suspended for two games in 2011 for stomping on Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith during the Thanksgiving game. Suh was ejected from the 2012 Thanksgiving game for allegedly kicking at Houston Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub, for which he was fined $30,000.
