Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka were suspended for one game each for hits in Monday night’s game, the NFL announced Tuesday.
Smith-Schuster was suspended for a vicious block on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the fourth quarter.
Chris Stewart on Twitter
Still can’t get over this nasty hit on Vontaze Burfict by Juju Smith Schuster last night. Lights out. https://t.co/e0UtIf0rsa
Ioka was suspended for a hit on Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in the end zone in the fourth quarter when Brown was deemed to be a defenseless receiver.
With 7:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, Smith-Schuster crushed Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict as Burfict chased after Le’Veon Bell on a 12-yard gain. Smith-Schuster then stood over Burfict as he lay motionless.
JuJu Smith-Schuster on Twitter
I don’t have any intentions to hurt anyone when I play football. I didn’t mean to hurt Vontez Burfict, I just wanted to throw a block for my teammate. I apologize for standing over him and that isn’t me. Praying he gets better.
“I was just playing to the whistle,” Smith-Schuster said. “I didn’t mean to stand over him. I was trying to get a big block for Le’Veon Bell for him to get upfield. The unsportsmanlike conduct is not me. I shouldn’t have done that. I hope he’s OK and I hope he gets better.”
