Oakland Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict has been suspended by the NFL for the remainder of the regular season, the league announced Monday. The timing of the suspension will have a direct impact on the Bears, who face the Raiders in Week 5 in London.
The NFL issued a press release explaining their decision to suspend Burfict, who's been a frequent flyer in the league offices, and cited "repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules" as the basis for the decision.
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Burfict is certain to appeal the NFL's ruling, but an expedited decision is likely.
Burfict's absence will be felt by the Raiders. He was one of their top defensive players through four games and has the team's second-highest pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus, despite not recording a sack on the season yet.
Beyond the analytics and the box score, Burfict was Oakland's tone-setter. Sure, he often bent or broke the rules when doing it, but there will be a lot less fear within Bears receivers and running backs when entering the second level of the Raiders defense Sunday.