NFL charges Burfict with another illegal hit

Reuters

Even with Vontaze Burfict serving a season-ending suspension, the NFL isn't softening its focus on the controversial Oakland Raiders linebacker.

ESPN and NFL Network reported that the league informed Burfict on Friday that it identified another illegal hit that he made Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Burfict was ejected following a helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday against Colts tight end Jack Doyle. The next day, the NFL announced that Burfict was suspended for the rest of the 2019 season for repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules -- the longest punishment in league history for an on-field incident.

The new revelation from Friday apparently will be used as part of the league's case when Burfict's appeal of the suspension is heard Tuesday.

Burfict, 29, missed the opening of both the 2016 and 2017 seasons while serving suspensions for player-safety violations, and he was out again at the start of 2018 for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Three years ago, Burfict had a five-game suspension for a hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman reduced to three games on appeal.

The Raiders, without Burfict, will oppose the Chicago Bears on Sunday in London.

--Field Level Media