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Vontaze Burfict suspended three games in 2016 for Antonio Brown hit

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) hits Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the fourth quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Burfict was called for a personal foul on the play. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) hits Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the fourth quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Burfict was called for a personal foul on the play. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended for the first three games of the 2016 NFL season

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict delivered a hit to the head of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown during the Bengals 18-16 loss to the Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs on Saturday. He was not expected to get any leniency or benefit of the doubt considering his history of fines — we knew this.

The NFL has announced that he will be suspended for the first three games of the 2016 NFL season.

That’s a huge loss for the Bengals. Burfict is one of the defensive leaders on the Bengals and is an extremely important part of their defense. Not only is he one of their most productive linebackers, his intensity tends to set the tone for the rest of the defense. Brown is currently undergoing concussion protocol and it is not known if he will play against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.

How big of a loss will it be? That depends on the Bengals schedule and who they face in the first three games of the 2016 NFL season. It’s worth noting that the Bengals managed to go 6-0 without Vontaze Burfict to start the season in 2015. He had 74 tackles in 10 games during the regular season and had two interceptions, and he also tallied a sack.

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