The NFL is considering suspending Steelers linebacker James Harrison one or two games for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, an NFL source told ESPN.
The debate about whether Harrison will be suspended will continue at NFL offices this morning. But at the very least, he will be hit with a hefty fine for his latest controversial hit.
Harrison was fined $125,000 for illegal hits last season. He has maintained his innocence about Thursday’s hit.
“From what I understand, once the quarterback leaves the pocket, he’s considered a runner,” Harrison said. “All the defenseless(ness) and liberties that a quarterback has in the pocket are gone, and you can tackle him just as he’s a running back. The hit wasn’t late, so I really don’t understand why it was called.”
Packers’ Jennings injured
GREEN BAY, Wis. — With little actual drama in their game against the Raiders, the biggest concern for the Packers was an apparent left knee injury to wide receiver Greg Jennings in the third quarter.
“Well, it didn’t look very good,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “So we’ll see what the MRI says tomorrow. And hopefully, we’ve got a bye wrapped up, so he really has close to five weeks before our (playoff) game.”
Packers coach Mike McCarthy was more guarded, classifying the injury as a sprain and saying that it warranted further evaluation. Green Bay defensive lineman Ryan Pickett also walked to the locker room after suffering a head injury in the third quarter.
Falcons coach undergoes exam after game
ATLANTA — Falcons coach Mike Smith is expected to return to Atlanta on Sunday night after being examined in a Charlotte, N.C., hospital after he walked off the team plane following a win over the Panthers.
The Falcons said in a statement that Smith was examined for a “non-emergency matter” but did not release details. Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts would not confirm that Smith was examined for chest discomfort.
Dallas’ Murray breaks his leg
ARLINGTON, Texas — Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray broke his right ankle, ending his record-setting rookie season. Murray burst onto the scene by rushing for a franchise-record 253 yards, the seventh-most in NFL history, on Oct. 23 vs. St. Louis.
The Associated Press
