NFL suspends Suh for walk on Rodgers’ leg
The Dallas Cowboys have enough about themselves to worry about, 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 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers multiple times in the Detroit 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 situation.
“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 to be without fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley who has been sidelined the past eight games with two sprained knee ligaments. Coach Jim Caldwell said “it’d be a miracle” if Fairley plays against the Cowboys.
Injury updates
Defensive tackle Henry Melton suffered an injury to his right knee against the Washington Redskins and is going to need “a few weeks,” according to his agent, Jordan Woy.
So Melton’s season — and possibly his tenure with the Cowboys — could be over.
The Cowboys continue to monitor rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who suffered a high ankle sprain. Coach Jason Garrett said the team is taking it day-by-day and has yet to rule him out.
The Cowboys are expected to have right tackle Doug Free (left ankle) and linebacker Rolando McClain (illness) return to practice this week.
Free has missed the past two games, while McClain didn’t make the Washington trip after coming down with a fever.
Praise for Carter
Linebackers coach Matt Eberflus has a grading system that rewards points based on “production plays.”
And Bruce Carter set a new record based on that system with a 56-point day against the Redskins. Carter had two interceptions in the red zone and a team-leading 11 tackles in the Cowboys’ 44-17 victory.
Garrett raved about Carter’s game and his penchant for delivering at critical parts of the game.
Briefly
▪ Garrett on Monday’s coach firings around the NFL: “It’s a hard business that we’re in. It feels similar to the cut-down days that we have at the end of every preseason.”
▪ Tony Romo’s 113.2 passer rating for the season is the highest in team history.
▪ The defense forced 13 turnovers in four December games.
Drew Davison, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 10:15 PM with the headline "NFL suspends Suh for walk on Rodgers’ leg."