Vikings ​Safety Andrew Sendejo Suspended For Hit Sunday

Minnesota Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo has been suspended without pay for one game for a hit on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace Sunday. NFL officials said in a news release that the hit violated the league's "safety-related playing rules." The collision forced a Ravens fumble and sent Wallace's helmet flying off his head, but a penalty called on Sendejo's tackle allowed Baltimore to keep possession. The Vikings ultimately defeated Baltimore 24-16.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6 (i) which states: "there shall be no unnecessary roughness. This shall include, but will not be limited to: (i) using any part of a player's helmet or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily."

In his letter to Sendejo, Runyan wrote: "The violation was flagrant and warrants a suspension because it could have been avoided, was violently directed at the head and neck area and unreasonably placed both you and an opposing player at risk of serious injury."

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Sendejo is planning to appeal the suspension, a source NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. Under the the league's collective bargaining agreement, the suspension may be appealed within three business days.

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Photo credit: AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn