Lions Hope To Overturn Suh's Suspension In Wild Card Game Against Cowboys

The Detroit Lions are hoping to overturn the suspension slapped on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh by the NFL that takes effect Sunday in their wild-card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. The suspension on Suh was for the inexplicable stomping on the unprotected leg of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the latter lay on the ground.

The team's appeal will be heard by Ted Cottrell, an ex-NFL player and assistant coach who is known for his fairness and independence. In 2012, Cottrell overturned a one-game suspension on Ed Reed for late hits.

Suh was suspended for two games in 2011 for stepping on the arm of Evan Dietrich-Smith, who was then a center for the Packers and was fined $100,000 last season due to his illegal low block on Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan. He has also been fined for thrashing Cincinnati Bengal's Andy Dalton, former Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Brandon Weeden, Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler and then-Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.

The league's statement din not mention anything about Suh's prior infractions, which means that Suh need not defend all his prior personal fouls. Mike Pereira, ex-NFL head of officiating, and former referee Jim Daopoulos do not believe that Suh intentionally stepped on Rodgers.

Meanwhile, NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks saw it differently. Hanks said that after Suh backed up on the defenseless and stepped on his left leg with his right foot, Suh later stepped on Rodgers' left leg again with his left foot. Hanks added that after Rodgers reacted by pushing Suh away, the latter did not respond as if he had lost his balance or accidentally contacted another player.

If the appeal is denied, the Lions will be without its first-round defensive tackle selections. Lions coach Jim Caldwell does not see Nick Fairley making a "miracle" comeback to take over Suh's chores since has not even practiced since he injured his knee against Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. Without Suh or Fairley as defensive tackles, the Lions are left with C.J. Mosley, Jason Jones and Andre Fluellen to choose from as starters.

With a very important game ahead of them, Suh's teammates expressed their concerns over the suspension. Center Dominic Raiola defended Suh, saying ther latter was getting pushed back and that there's no was he would do such a thing on purpose. Meanwhile, Lions safety James Ihedigbo, who described Suh as a dominant force and the centepiece of their defense, said that the latter's absence will create a large void. Suh will become a free agent at season's end.