Harrison must sit 1 game

The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison for one game following his helmet-to-facemask hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy last Thursday, making Harrison the first to miss game time as a penalty under the league’s revamped policy.

Harrison’s agent, Bill Parise, said Tuesday Harrison has already filed an appeal and expects it to be heard later this week by Art Shell or Ted Cottrell, appointed by the NFL and the players’ association to hear such cases.

They’ll have to determine Harrison’s intent when he laid out McCoy late in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 14-3 victory. The 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year was penalized for roughing the passer and said Monday he believed the hit didn’t warrant further punishment.

NFL Executive Vice President Ray Anderson disagreed, pointing out the violation marked the fifth illegal hit on a quarterback by Harrison in the last three seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler has also been fined on two other occasions for unnecessary roughness over the same period.

Though Harrison hasn’t been fined for such a hit in over a year, he was considered a repeat offender under the 2011 League Policies for Players manual, leading to the suspension.

Harrison, who has been highly critical of the league’s crackdown on vicious hits, thanked his fans for their support on his Twitter account after the suspension was levied, adding, “I’m just going to move on from here and get ready for my next game.”

Barring a successful appeal, that won’t be until the Steelers face St. Louis on Christmas Eve.

While Harrison believed he should have been flagged but not suspended, the Steelers pledged to press onward even if it means being without their All-Pro linebacker for Monday night’s game at San Francisco.

“We’re disappointed for James because we know how hard he’s worked to play within the rules,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We accept the judgment rendered by the league office and we’ll move forward.”

Alson on Tuesday, league and NFLPA representatives met with the Browns to discuss McCoy’s injury, which may have exposed some previously unaddressed issues tied to concussion policies.

In an email response to The AP, league spokesman Greg Aiello said the purpose of the meeting “is to examine procedures and identify areas for further discussion with other medical experts, Commissioner Goodell and the union.”

Aiello said any changes in policy or procedure would be made by Goodell and in conjunction with the league’s medical committee and the union.

The Browns said McCoy, whose head snapped back after he was struck on the facemask, did not show symptoms of a concussion until after the game. Coach Pat Shurmur claims the team followed medical protocol before the second-year quarterback was allowed to return just minutes after absorbing the vicious hit.

On Monday, Shurmur refused to answer direct questions whether the team administered standardized concussion tests for McCoy while he was on the sideline. Shurmur said head trainer Joe Sheehan told him McCoy was ready to go back in the game.

Shurmur hopes McCoy will be able to play at Arizona this Sunday. Backup Seneca Wallace will make his first start of the season if McCoy is ruled out.

BUCCANEERS SIGN EX-SEAHAWK REED

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed defensive end Nick Reed to the active roster and added three players to the club’s practice squad.

Reed entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2009. He played in all 16 games for the Seahawks that year and finished with 17 tackles, including one sack.

He suffered a knee injury during the 2010 preseason and was released by Seattle.

Reed appeared in seven games for the Chicago Bears this season before being released on Nov. 14.

Defensive tackle Lamar Divens, offensive tackle Mike Ingersoll and fullback Austin Sylvester were signed to Tampa Bay’s practice squad.

EXTRA POINTS

Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, who had 253 yards rushing against the Rams in October – the most by any player this season and the highest total in franchise history – was placed on injured reserve because of a broken ankle. Veteran Sammy Morris was signed to replace him. The Cowboys also put safety Barry Church (shoulder) on injured reserve and signed rookie safety Mana Silva. … Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is questionable for Monday’s game against the 49ers because of a sprained left ankle. Coach Mike Tomlin said that Roethlisberger is “day-to-day” but is working “tirelessly” to be on the field against the 49ers. … The Jets signed veteran safety Gerald Alexander, adding depth to the position two days after Jim Leonhard was lost for the season because of a knee injury. … The Broncos signed cornerback Tony Carter to their active roster from the practice squad. The team waived safety Kyle McCarthy and linebacker Derek Domino, who had been on the injured reserve list. … The Panthers signed rookie kicker Adi Kunalic to a three-year contract and decided to keep veteran Olindo Mare on the roster. Mare was the Seahawks’ kicker from 2008-2010. … The Titans signed linebacker Kevin Malast off the Jaguars’ practice squad and placed veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud on injured reserve because of a groin injury. … The Redskins signed tight end Richard Quinn and placed nose tackle Chris Baker (quadriceps) on injured reserve. The Redskins needed depth at tight end because of an elbow injury to former North Thurston High star Mike Sellers and the suspension of Fred Davis.