The NFL on Monday suspended Denver outside linebacker Randy Gregory along with Los Angeles offensive lineman Oday Aboushi for throwing punches at each other after the Rams’ 51-14 win over the Broncos on Sunday afternoon.
The altercation occurred as players mingled after the blowout. Each is suspended for one game without pay.
NFL vice president of operations John Runyan notified the players of their suspensions in a Monday letter and wrote, “As you were walking toward a group of teammates, coaches, and media, you both stopped and swung at each other’s head and/or neck. Your aggressive conduct could have caused serious injury and clearly does not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”
Gregory played just 11 snaps but drew a pair of personal fouls in that span for throwing his helmet after a Rams touchdown and then for hitting L.A. quarterback Baker Mayfield in the helmet. He was temporarily benched after the first penalty and then allowed to return to play by since-fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Then, after the hit on Mayfield, Gregory did not see the field again.
Gregory didn’t practice at all in the week leading up to the game because of persistent knee issues. He had surgery after a Week 4 injury and missed 10 weeks, then returned and played 23 snaps against Arizona on Dec. 18. He had soreness in the knee after the game and throughout the week, but Hackett said he got through a pre-game workout well enough to play.
“We wanted to have the ability to have him out there,” Hackett said Sunday. “He gives us a dynamic pass-rush. He was able to go during this game, so we put him out there.”
Per the rules of the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Gregory can appeal the suspension.
