Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is appealing his 1-game suspension, handed down by the NFL on Monday. If the suspension sticks, the Lions would be without their top defensive lineman for Sunday’s NFC Wildcard game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy voiced his opinion of Suh stepping on the leg of Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers, even without actually seeing the incident. Since then, he’s seen the play and offered no further comment during his Monday news conference at Lambeau Field.
“I gave my opinion last night,” said McCarthy. “That was a helluva football game played yesterday and that’s really what I came here to talk about.”
NFL vice president of football operation Merton Hanks stated in a letter to Suh, “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.”
Replays showed Suh inadvertently stepping on Rodgers’ left ankle as he tried to gain his balance. Then he stepped back on his other foot and put all his weight on Rodgers’ left calf.
Suh has certainly had a long history of misconduct on the field. He’s been fined eight times for more than $216-thousand and suspended once before. That suspension as for two games for stomping on Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith during a 2011 game at Ford Field.
The Lions played without center Dominic Raiola against the Packers on Sunday after he was hit with a one-game suspension for stomping on the ankle of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ego Ferguson. Now, the Lions could be faced without having their best defensive linemen for Sunday’s playoff opener.
Following is what Mike McCarthy had to say about Ndamukong Suh after Sunday’s game.