Myles Garrett has indicated to the NFL he will appeal his indefinite suspension. The Browns defensive end will have his appellate hearing at the league office on Wednesday, according to NFL.com. James Thrash, a former NFL wide receiver, will hear the appeal and make the ruling on any possible reduction of Garrett’s suspension.
Garrett is expected to attend the hearing in person. That is an unusual move, one that should allow Garrett to express more personally his thoughts and emotions on the chain of events that led to his striking Steelers QB Mason Rudolph over the head with Rudolph’s own helmet. Garrett has been banished for at least the remainder of the 2019 NFL season, including the playoffs.
One possible point of argument comes from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who notes the NFL and NFLPA’s collective bargaining agreement might not allow such a punishment for on-field actions,
As #Browns DE Myles Garrett gets set to appeal his lengthy suspension, one source said an argument will be that the CBA does not allow for indefinite suspensions for on-field acts. Garrett will hope for a finite number, as well as a reduction.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2019
While he might have some leverage in terms of the Thursday night brawl, Garrett’s history this season will not help him. He was penalized for punching Titans TE Delanie Walker in Week 1 and was also penalized and fined for two personal fouls in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets.
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