Suh suspended two games
Posted by Mike Florio on November 29, 2011, 10:14 AM EST
AP
Five days after stomping on Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has learned his fate.
Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Suh has been suspended two games.
Per Glazer, Suh has not been required to participate in anger management as part of his punishment.
Under the league’s process for on-field infractions, a copy of which PFT has obtained, Suh has three days to file an appeal. A hearing then must be held within 10 days after the appeal is made.
The rules do not specify a deadline for the issuance of a final decision. If Suh appeals, he’ll definitely be available for Sunday night’s game at New Orleans. The Lions play the Vikings, Raiders, Chargers, and Packers over the final four weeks of the season.
The appeal will be conducted by Art Shell or Ted Cottrell. Both have been jointly hired — and are jointly paid — by the NFL and the NFLPA. League exec Ray Anderson will appoint one or the other to handle the hearing and make a final and binding decision.
Despite strong criticism from some players that the appeal process is meaningless, punishments meted out by the league office routinely are reduced on appeal by Shell and Cottrell. In this specific case, a reduction of the suspension from two games to one would provide a high-profile example to all players, media, and fans that the appeal process is not futile.