Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict facing five-game suspension for hit
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict could be sidelined for a substantial stretch after yet another controversial hit.
Burfict is facing a five-game suspension from the NFL for a hit against Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman last Sunday, according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the Paste BN Network.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report the news.
The Bengals wrote in a statement that they would support Burfict in his appeal of the suspension.
"The Bengals are aware of the NFL's letter to Vontaze regarding a play in last weekend's game," the team said. "The film shows that the hit was legal, that Vontaze engaged his opponent from the front, and that contact was shoulder-to-chest. The Club will support Vontaze in the appeal process."
Burfict served a three-game suspension to start last season after he was found to be a repeat violator of the league's safety-related playing rules after he made a hit to the head of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in an AFC wild-card playoff game.
He has lost $805,400 in his five-year NFL career due to fines and suspensions, according to the Enquirer.
PHOTOS: NFL suspensions in 2017