The news that the NFL has handed down a suspension to Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh is now official. The league released a statement on Tuesday about the suspension, nothing that Suh would be reinstated on Dec. 12 and that the suspension can be appealed within three business days. The statement is below:
NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks notified Ndamukong Suh today that he has been suspended without pay for the Lions' next two games for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving Day. It was Suh's fifth violation of on-field rules in the past two seasons that has resulted in league discipline. Suh may not practice or be at the team practice facility for any other activities during the two-game suspension. He will be reinstated on December 12. Under the 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.
The "unsportsmanlike conduct" is the official reasoning given, and it's something Suh has been fined for in the past. By the looks of things, Suh could appeal as late as Friday, providing Tuesday counts as one of the business days, and that would mean the league would have its expedited hearing on Saturday before the games on Sunday. The Lions next take on the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings, and are currently in the hunt for a wildcard spot in the NFC. Both of those games are within the conference, and the latter is in the division, though the Vikings are unlikely to be competing.