The NFL has overturned Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed's one-game suspension for repeated violations of player safety rules following an appeal on Tuesday.
Reed was also docked one game's paycheck for the violations, but instead will pay a $50,000 fine and be eligible to play in Baltimore's matchup with the San Diego Chargers this Sunday.
Ted Cottrell, who is appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to hear and decide appeals, handed down the decision Tuesday afternoon.
"I have determined that your actions were egregious and warrant significant discipline," Cottrell said in a letter to Reed. "However, I do not believe that your actions were so egregious as to subject you to a one-game suspension without pay. Player safety is the league's primary concern in the formation of playing rules and all players are expected to adhere to those rules or face disciplinary action. I hope in the future you will focus on ensuring that your play conforms to the rules."
Reed had been suspended without pay by the league on Monday following a hit to the head and neck area of Pittsburgh wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders during Sunday night's 13-10 win in Pittsburgh.
It was the third instance in the last three years that Reed has failed to lay up when making contact with a player deemed to be defenseless, and second this season.
Reed was penalized for unnecessary roughness and fined $21,000 for hitting Patriots wideout Deion Branch during a Sept. 23 game, and drew a similar penalty along with a $10,000 fine for a blow to the head/neck region on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees in December of 2010.
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