The Detroit Lions could play without Ndamukong Suh in their wild-card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday after the National Football League announced the defensive tackle's suspension on Monday.

The league announced Suh will be suspended for Sunday's game after stepping on the leg of quarterback Aaron Rodgers during their 30-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Suh was seen stepping on Rodgers' left leg using his right foot first. The veteran DT then stepped and applied pressure on Rodgers' left leg again using his left foot.

"You did not respond in the manner of someone who had lost his balance and accidentally contacted another player who was lying on the ground," NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks told Suh in a letter. "This illegal contact, specifically the second step and push off with your left foot, clearly could have been avoided."

According to a statement from the league, Suh will not be allowed to attend team meetings and functions. He will also be barred from team practices and will not be permitted to appear at team facilities for any reason, but the league also gave Suh three days to make an appeal.

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ESPN reported Suh and the Lions will appeal the suspension, which will be heard by Ted Cottrell, one of the officers selected and compensated by the league and players' association to decide on disciplinary actions.

Lions center Dominic Raiola came into his teammate's defense, saying Suh did not do it on purpose.

"He was getting pushed back, you know," Raiola said. "There's no way at that point in the game that he did something like that on purpose."

If Suh's appeal is denied, the Lions will have to settle with either Andre Fluellen or Jason Jones to pair up with C.J. Mosley at the defensive tackle spots.

Lions safety James Ihedigbo expressed confidence that his teammates will step up if Suh's suspension is upheld, but he admitted losing the 27-year-old will be a big blow to their chances against the Cowboys.

"We have faith in guys that can step up and fill that void and do the best job they can to get this win and help us out," Ihedigbo said. "It's unfortunate, whatever way you want to slice it. You're losing one of your best defensive players and one of the best D-linemen in the league, it's unfortunate."

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