National Football League
Broncos' Mays banned 1 game for hit
National Football League

Broncos' Mays banned 1 game for hit

Published Sep. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays will serve a one-game suspension for the helmet-to-helmet hit he put on Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in Week 3.

His agent said he will appeal the suspension.

If he loses the appeal, Mays wouldn't be able to practice with the Broncos this week or be at the team's headquarters. Mays would be reinstated next Monday.

Mays, who could miss Sunday's showdown against the Oakland Raiders, hit Schaub with such force that the quarterback lost a piece of his ear as his helmet flew off. Mays was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul.

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When asked after the game if he expected to be fined, Mays said: ''Oh yeah. I'm expecting that. But it was not my intention to do that.''

The Broncos will have to deal with Mays' absence and it’s likely that inside linebacker Steven Johnson or veteran linebacker Keith Brooking will replace him.

Since the hit, Mays has apologized to Schaub and has declared that he didn’t intentionally try to hurt him. Last week, the fifth-year linebacker was docked nearly $8,000 for a roughing the passer penalty on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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