Redskins defensive back Brandon Meriweather will only be suspended for one game for his illegal hits against the Bears in Week 7, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. Meriweather was initially suspended for two games, but his sentence was reduced by NFL officer Ted Cottrell, per Rapoport. The former Miami Hurricane was responsible for two separate blows to the heads of Bears wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall this past Sunday.
NFL news roundup: Brandon Meriweather has suspension reduced, Michael Vick fully participates in practice
Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick are making headlines on Wednesday.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Meriweather has racked up $137,000 in fines in seven seasons in the NFL, including an early-season fine of $42,000 for his hit on Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy. With Meriweather missing Week 8, he will lose $70,588 of his $1.2 million base salary.
Here is a look at some other headlines around the NFL that you may have missed on Wednesday:
The Eagles resumed practice on Wednesday with starting quarterback Michael Vick on the field, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Vick participated in a full capacity in anticipation for the Eagles' Week 8 matchup against the Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. The veteran has missed two games after being injured in the first meeting against New York.
Vick has been nursing a pulled hamstring over the last two weeks. During that span, the Eagles have gone 1-1, looking fantastic against the Buccaneers on the road, while looking pathetic against the Cowboys at home. Vick's backup, Nick Foles, is currently out with a concussion. Rookie Matt Barkley will likely serve as depth for Vick on Sunday.
Josh Freeman's debut as the Vikings starting quarterback went even worse than originally thought. While the passer's stats were horrific, he also suffered a concussion during the loss to the Giants, according to Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. Freeman had a putrid showing against the Giants, so former starter Christian Ponder's potential return to the lineup may be a good thing.
Ponder is likely to start in Freeman's place if he is unable to play on Sunday. Freeman signed with the Vikings before the Week 6 loss to the Panthers.
The Browns have deals on the table for wide receiver Josh Gordon, but those moves might not be made by next week's deadline. While rumors continue to mount regarding a deal for Gordon, it is unlikely to happen, according to Pro Football Talk. Gordon is a very talented player and the Browns number one weapon on offense, but his off-the-field issues may turn teams off from trading for him.
Gordon served a two-game suspension to start the season and may be one more drug policy strike away from losing an entire season of play. With those possible consequences, his value does not match his talent. The Browns are not openly shopping him, so the price may determine his whereabouts after Oct. 29.
Raiders claim former Saints pass rusher Martez Wilson off waivers
The Raiders made a move to improve their pass rush on Wednesday. Oakland added defensive end/outside linebacker Martez Wilson off waivers from the Saints. New Orleans cut Wilson on Tuesday.
Wilson was a third-round pick in 2011 and has five sacks in 33 games with the Saints. He will help improve a Raiders pass rusher that has only registered 16 sacks this season.
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