The Detroit Lions have been informed by the NFL league office that star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for two games without pay for his "unsportsmanlike conduct" in a Thanksgiving Day game, FOXSports.com has learned.
The ruling is a straight two-game suspension without any stipulation by the league that Suh has to go through any sort of anger management counseling. He still may be required to go per the team's advice, but counseling will not be required.
Suh was ejected during the third quarter of his team's 27-15 Week 12 loss to the Packers after scuffling with guard Evan Dietrich-Smith, then stomping on Dietrich-Smith's right arm as he got up to walk away.
Suh will be allowed to appeal the punishment, and if he does there would likely be an expedited hearing before this week's game (Sunday night vs. New Orleans). According to the NFL, under the current CBA the suspension may be appealed within three business days. If appealed, an expedited hearing and decision would take place this week in advance of this weekend’s games.
Suh has previously been fined three times in his brief NFL career for a total of $42,500 for illegal hits on quarterbacks.
The incident came just weeks after the 24-year-old Suh met face-to-face with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in an effort to gain a better understanding of the league's policy on illegal hits.
The official NFL statement released Tuesday morning notes that it was Suh’s fifth violation of on-field rules in the past two seasons that has resulted in league discipline.
"Playing professional sports ... is a profession with great responsibility, and where performance on and off the field should never be compromised," Suh wrote on his Facebook page .
"I want to reiterate my commitment to working to become a better player, and professional -- on and off the field. My reaction on Thursday was unacceptable."
The ruling is a straight two-game suspension without any stipulation by the league that Suh has to go through any sort of anger management counseling. He still may be required to go per the team's advice, but counseling will not be required.
Suh was ejected during the third quarter of his team's 27-15 Week 12 loss to the Packers after scuffling with guard Evan Dietrich-Smith, then stomping on Dietrich-Smith's right arm as he got up to walk away.
Suh will be allowed to appeal the punishment, and if he does there would likely be an expedited hearing before this week's game (Sunday night vs. New Orleans). According to the NFL, under the current CBA the suspension may be appealed within three business days. If appealed, an expedited hearing and decision would take place this week in advance of this weekend’s games.
Suh has previously been fined three times in his brief NFL career for a total of $42,500 for illegal hits on quarterbacks.
The incident came just weeks after the 24-year-old Suh met face-to-face with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in an effort to gain a better understanding of the league's policy on illegal hits.
The official NFL statement released Tuesday morning notes that it was Suh’s fifth violation of on-field rules in the past two seasons that has resulted in league discipline.
"Playing professional sports ... is a profession with great responsibility, and where performance on and off the field should never be compromised," Suh wrote on his Facebook page .
"I want to reiterate my commitment to working to become a better player, and professional -- on and off the field. My reaction on Thursday was unacceptable."
