Vontaze Burfict got some bad news Monday.
The Raiders middle linebacker was ejected from Oakland's 31-24 Week 4 win over the Colts for a hit to the head of tight end Jack Doyle, and the NFL came down hard on Burfict on Monday, suspending him for the remainder of the season.
Burfict is set to appeal the decision, but it seems unlikely to be overturned due to his long history of reckless hits and dirty play.
The veteran middle linebacker signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in the offseason, and he will lose $879,411.77 due to the suspension.
This is just the latest in a long line of fines the Arizona State product has accrued during his career.
Vontaze Burfict has been fined more than $400,000 and suspended 18 games (not counting four for PEDs last year) since entering NFL as UDFA in 2012. The list:
2013: Fined $31,000 for hitting Packers TE Ryan Taylor in groin and WR James Jones as defenseless receiver
(more)— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 30, 2019
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2013: Fined $7,875 for errant facemask on Bills RB Fred Jackson
2013: Fined $21,000 for spearing Jets WR Stephen Hill
2014: Fined $25,000 for twisting ankles of Panthers QB Cam Newton and TE Greg Olsen
(more)— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 30, 2019
2015: Fined $69,450 for three separate unsportsmanlike penalties vs. Steelers
2016: Fined $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct for hit on Bills WR Robert Woods
2016: Fined $75,000 for stomping on LeGarrette Blount's leg
(more)— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 30, 2019
2016: Concussed Antonio Brown with a headshot, suspended three games for repeated safety violations
2017: Suspended three games for errant hit on Chiefs FB Anthony Sherman
2017: Fined $12,154 for kicking Steelers FB Roosevelt Nix
(more)— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 30, 2019
2018: Fined $112,000 for hit to head area of Steelers RB James Conner and WR Antonio Brown
2018: Fined $53,482 for lowering helmet against Broncos FB Andy Janovich
2019: Suspended for rest of season for repeated safety violations after head-to-head hit on Colts TE Jack Doyle— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 30, 2019
Doyle said he didn't believe the hit was malicious, but that didn't help Burfict's case. The backer's history combined with his decision to blow kisses to the crowd as he was leaving the field probably sealed his fate.
[RELATED: Raiders' Whitehead blasts NFL over Burfict suspension]
The Raiders will have to adjust quickly without Burfict. Tahir Whitehead likely will take over the communication responsibilities, but the Silver and Black will need to find a way to fill Burfict's hole in the middle of their defense.
The win over the Colts got the Raiders back to .500 at 2-2, and now they'll face the Chicago Bears in Week 5 possibly without starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
Jon Gruden's club might leave London with a win next Sunday, but they'll have bigger issues with Burfict gone.
