Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett has been "suspended indefinitely" by the National Football League (NFL) after he struck Pittsburgh Steelers' Mason Rudolph over the head with the quarterback's own helmet.
Garrett is suspended for at least the remainder of the season and will not be paid during the ban. He must meet with the commissioner's office prior to a decision on his reinstatement, the NFL said in a statement.
The suspension is the longest in NFL history for a single on-field incident.
The incident led to a skirmish between both teams, who the NFL fined US$250,000 (NZ$390,337) each.
The NFL also handed out suspensions to Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (one game) for shoving Rudolph in the back after Garrett had landed the powerful shot to the quarterback's head with the helmet.
Pittsburgh centre Maurkice Pouncey, who jumped into Garrett and proceeded to kick and punch him in defence of Rudolph, was suspended three games.
Pouncey said after the incident that Garrett "could have killed" Rudolph.
Reuters
