Raiders Expect Lynch Ruling Soon; ‘it Would Be the Fairest Thing'

Running back Marshawn Lynch formally appealed his one-game suspension on Monday afternoon.

The Raiders hope to hear a ruling by Tuesday.

"I think we expect to hear something early in the week, hopefully by tomorrow," head coach Jack Del Rio said in a Monday press conference. "(It) would be the fairest thing so that the team can prepare."

That's the expectation, according to an ESPN report. The Raiders should know by Tuesday whether Lynch's suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct will stand.

The suspension stems from a Thursday night incident where he left the sidelines to join an on-field fracas involving Raiders offensive linemen and Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters. The third-year pro was penalized for a late hit on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr his linemen didn't take kindly.

Peters and Lynch are extremely close friends and Oakland natives, and Lynch instinctively went out to protect someone he views as family. He inadvertently grabbed an official by the jersey and let go shortly after. He was flagged and ejected by rule.

He missed most of Thursday's 31-30 victory over the Chiefs, and the NFL suspended him one game without pay on Friday. That could cost Lynch a $79,411 game check and a $31,250 per-game roster bonus.

ESPN reports that Peters by phone spoke at Lynch's appeal hearing, where the running back's team also cited precedent of others contacting an official without getting suspended. Leaving the sideline, however, may not help his appeal.

Del Rio said he hadn't spoken with Lynch since the ejection.

"I said the other night I was disappointed that we had a player leave the bench," Del Rio said. "It's something we talk about – don't leave the bench area."

The Raiders ran with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington after Lynch's ejection, and combined for 67 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The pair with shoulder a rushing load Sunday at Buffalo if Lynch is unavailable.

"They don't have the size and the power but they have a little more quickness, they catch the ball a little easier, better route-runners, things like so," Del Rio said. "So, if you're playing a little more wide open, in some respects they give you a little more juice. Marshawn give you the power back when you want to finish people and in tough situations. Those guys give you more than a change of pace."

Copyright CSNBY - CSN BAY
Contact Us