NEW YORK - Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been suspended 1 game without pay by the NFL for stepping on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' leg in their game on Sunday.
"You necessarily stepped on your opponent's unprotected leg as he lay on the ground unable to protect himself," said Merton Hanks, league vice president of football operations, in his letter to Suh.
Suh stepped on Rodgers' leg twice when the quarterback was down after making a pass attempt in the third quarter. Suh had released his block and was stepping backwards, apparently viewing the play downfield, though did appear to have the chance to stop himself.
Hanks ruled Aaron Rodgers to be "in a defenseless posture."
"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," Hanks added. "This is illegal contact, specifically the second step and push off with your left foot, clearly could have been avoided."
Rodgers had missed two series in Sunday's game with an aggravation of a calf injury in the same leg Suh stepped on. Green Bay defeated Detroit 30-20 to clinch the NFC North championship.
This is the second time Suh has been suspended for purposefully stepping on an opponent, missing two games in 2011 after stomping on the arm of Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith.
Detroit will miss Suh in their defensive front as they travel to the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC Wild Card game on Jan. 4.
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