The NFL notified the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday morning that it has suspended Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison one game for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy on Thursday Night Football. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin addressed the suspension in a statement to the media Tuesday.
"We received word from the league office this morning that he will receive a one game suspension," Tomlin said. "We’ll accept that, of course. We are disappointed, we are disappointed for James because we know quite frankly how hard he has worked to play within the rules. He has worked extremely hard to adjust his game."
Tomlin went on to say the NFL will allow Harrison to re-join the Steelers next Tuesday, Dec. 20, following their Monday Night Football matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. He did not know if Harrison planned to appeal the suspension, but added "we have to prepare that he is not going to play.
"We’ll move forward," the coach continued. "James will move forward."
Harrison has 52 tackles (42 solo), eight sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2011.
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