Cowboys focused on themselves, not Ndamukong Suh suspension

The Dallas Cowboys have enough things to worry about themselves, so they don’t get too caught up in what’s going on with their opponent.

That’s why coach Jason Garrett didn’t have much of a reaction to the news that Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh had been suspended by the NFL for Sunday’s wild-card game.

Suh has a history of dirty plays and added a couple more when he stepped on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers multiple times in the Lions regular-season finale.

NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks wrote in a letter to Suh that he “unnecessarily stepped on your opponent’s unprotected leg as he lay on the ground unable to protect himself.

“This illegal contact, specifically the second step and push off with your left foot, clearly could have been avoided.”

Suh, who leads the Lions with 8 1/2 sacks, will appeal the suspension.

Assuming it’s upheld, it certainly benefits the Cowboys. Suh is among the top defensive linemen in the game, and it would have been a challenge to minimize his impact.

Garrett admitted Suh “has obviously been one of the better players at his position since he’s been in the league,” but tried to downplay the rest of it.

“We try not to get real enamored with what’s going on over there,” Garrett said. “We understand what their scheme is, we understand what their personnel strengths and weaknesses are and we try to take full advantage of those within the context of what we do.

“But, again, we try to focus on ourselves. It’s a good defensive unit, it’s a good defensive front, whether or not he’s a part of it, I don’t know that, but we’re going to focus on ourselves and try to play our best ball.”

Outside of missing Suh, the Lions are also likely going to be without fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Fairley has been sidelined the last eight games with two sprained knee ligaments, and coach Jim Caldwell said “it’d be a miracle” if Fairley plays against the Cowboys.

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Cowboys focused on themselves, not Ndamukong Suh suspension."