Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to have more time to ride his bike this weekend.
Both Smith-Schuster and Bengals defensive back George Iloka were suspended for a game Tuesday by the NFL in the wake of an ugly Monday Night Football game, the league announced. ESPN reported both players’ appealed Tuesday. Smith-Schuzter’s ban was upheld and he will sit out Sunday. The result of Iloka’s appeal will be announced by the league Wednesday.
Smith-Schuster earned two penalty flags for a crackback block on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 23-20 win. The hit was illegal — thanks to the “Hines Ward rule” that outlawed those types of blocks delivered up high to unsuspecting defenders — and then Smith-Schuster drew an extra taunting flag for standing over his target.
Iloka was suspended for a hit to Antonio Brown’s head in the end zone after the star wideout caught a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Brown was also famously hit in the head near the of a wild-card game two years ago between these two teams by Burfict. The penalty from that play helped the Steelers kick a game-winning field goal.
Smith-Schuster has quickly become a fan favorite as a rookie with the AFC North-leading Steelers, but he will be absent for a division showdown with the second-place Ravens this coming weekend. He apologized to Burfict on Twitter after the game.
The Bengals set a franchise record for penalty yards, and there were nine personal fouls called on the two teams.
The game also included a frightening scene in the first quarter when Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier was taken on the field on a backboard after making a tackle. He grabbed for his back immediately after the play was over, and lost feeling in his legs. There was a positive update Tuesday morning, but NFL.com reported the next 24-48 hours will be critical for gauging the severity of the injury and his recovery.