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Ravens S Ed Reed suspended one game for 'repeated violations' of hits rule


The NFL suspended Ravens safety Ed Reed for one game without pay for "repeated violations of the rule prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players," the league announced oMonday. The suspension will cost Reed a $423,529 game check.

Reed was flagged for a hit on Emmanuel Sanders during the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game on Sunday night. It was, the league said, Reed's third violation in the past three seasons.

The league also cited a Sept. 23 hit on Deion Branch (classified as a defenseless receiver) and a Dec. 19, 2010, hit on Drew Brees (unnecessarily striking the quarterback).

Reed plans to appeal his suspension, the Ravens said, and the team is expecting a response from the league no later than Wednesday. Per our Ravens Rapid Reporter Jason Butt, coach John Harbaugh was "shocked" by the news of Reed's suspension.

Under the NFL's 2012 schedule of fines, "players who were fined for violations in 2010 or 2011, and whose fines were either partially or fully upheld, will be considered second and/or repeat offenders under this policy."

Reed fits into that category and will be forced to miss Baltimore's game against San Diego as a result.

"We cannot tolerate repeated violations of rules, especially rules related to player safety,” NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson said. "We will continue to take the strongest possible action to deter these types of violations and protect our players."

I don't even know where to begin, but it smells like bs to me.