Report: Michael Crabtree, Aqib Talib suspended for two weeks for fighting
By John Buhler
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib will be suspended for two games for fighting on Sunday afternoon.
The NFL is not messing around. Even though both Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib were tossed for their on-field fight during Sunday afternoon’s game, that wasn’t enough punishment in the league’s eyes.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “Michael Crabtree of the Oakland Raiders and Aqib Talib of the Denver Broncos have been suspended without pay for two games for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness rules in Sunday’s game between the Raiders and Broncos.”
NFL executive Jon Runyan would explain his reasoning for levying such a harsh punishment. Of course, Crabtree and Talib will both appeal their two-game suspensions. If upheld, Crabtree and Talib won’t be eligible to return to the NFL gridiron until Week 15.
NFL: Michael Crabtree of the Oakland Raiders and Aqib Talib of the Denver Broncos have been suspended without pay for two games each for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness rules in Sunday’s game between the Raiders and Broncos.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2017
Here are the explanations from @NFL executive Jon Runyan on the 2-game suspensions for #Raiders WR Michael Crabtree and #Broncos CB Aqib Talib pic.twitter.com/WD3jwvfFm3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2017
Both #Raiders WR Michael Crabtree and #Broncos CB Aqib Talib are appealing their suspensions, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2017
In his explanations, Runyan definitely let Crabtree and Talib have it. He would point out that this was the second time in as many years that both players have gotten into an on-field altercation. Runyan was aware that Crabtree punched another Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. in the stomach before his incident with Talib happened on the next play. He would add that Talib ripped off Crabtree’s chain like he did the year before.
With the way that Runyan worded his explanations, no, it does not seem likely that Crabtree or Talib have any shot of winning their appeals of the two-game suspension. It was an embarrassing moment for the league, so it’s understandable why they are cracking down on these two in the manner they are.
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So if the suspensions hold, Crabtree will miss Week 13’s home game versus the New York Giants and Week 14’s road game versus the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs. Talib would miss Week 13’s home game versus the Miami Dolphins and Week 14’s road game versus the New York Jets.
Denver is already out of the playoff picture, so Talib’s absence doesn’t really matter. However, Crabtree’s absence will only hurt the Raiders the next two weeks. Keep in mind that fellow wide receiver Amari Cooper is really banged up heading into Sunday.
He suffered a concussion and an ankle injury on a cheap hit by Broncos safety Darian Stewart. It doesn’t seem likely he will play. Yes, it is the New York Giants, but Oakland would be without its two best wide receivers is Cooper can’t play.
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Week 14 at Kansas City could be for the division lead. Both rivals would be 6-6 if Oakland beats the Giants at home and the Chiefs beat the Jets at MetLife. Overall, this punishment for fighting is severe. Crabtree and Talib were ejected three minutes into Sunday’s contest. They will miss almost three games because of this fight if the suspension is upheld. This is why you don’t fight, kids.