Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather has been suspended for the first two games of the NFL season because of a hit during the Redskins preseason game against Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith on Saturday.
During the second quarter of the game, Meriweather hit Smith and received a personal foul penalty.
Meriweather has been fined or suspended five times by the NFL for illegal hits. Last season, he was suspended two games for an illegal hit against Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy, but he appealed and the suspension was reduced to just one game, according to USA Today.
Following the game, Meriweather told the Washington Post, that he did not think his hit deserved a penalty.
“I tried to aim at his numbers. I kind of seen the pass go, and I went in and aimed low, and I hit him with my shoulder,” he said. “I did everything my couches taught me to do, and I got the flag.”
Meriweather will be able to continue practicing and playing in the remain preseason games that the Redskins have, but he will not be able to have any contact with the Redskins for the first two weeks of September, according to ESPN.