Bengals: Vontaze Burfict’s Suspension Reportedly Upheld

Burfict, his agents and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis were at the meeting Thursday with Goodell and National Football League executive VP Troy Vincent.

Burfict hit Steelers receiver Antonio Brown in the head late in the Bengals’ wild-card round playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Brown, who suffered a concussion as a result of the hit, ultimately missed the Steelers Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos after failing to make it through the league’s concussion protocol.

That meeting was reportedly requested by Burfict, to “discuss his behavior and what to do going forward”.

Burfict and Lewis have to consider the gravity of the situation the linebacker is now facing. In Week 8, Burfict drew ire after celebrating what turned out to be a season-ending hit on Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. Burfict had filed the appeal last month after being notified of the suspension.

The three-game suspension will cost him $502,941 in base salary next season. He’s an excellent player, but his value to the Cincinnati Bengals has been dampened by a combination of injuries and careless penalties.

Burfict did finish the 2015 season with 74 combined tackles, one sack, five pass deflections, and two interceptions.

Information from ESPN’s James Walker and Coley Harvey was used in this report.