The NFL has suspended Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola for one game without pay for stepping on the ankle of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ego Ferguson during Detroit’s 20-14 win against Chicago on Sunday.
Raiola called the move unintentional and apologized to Ferguson after the game. But the NFL saw it differently and suspended Raiola for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The NFL said this is Raiola’s sixth “safety-related rules violation since 2010.”
It’s not known if Raiola will appeal the suspension or not.
If Raiola doesn’t play Sunday, the Lions would likely count on rookie Travis Swanson, who was a third round draft pick out of Arkansas. Swanson started three games at right guard earlier when Larry Warford was out with a knee injury.
Raiola can’t be with the team for the week under the guidelines of the suspension. He would be reinstated on Dec. 29.