Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) -- Detroit Lions Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been suspended for Sunday's Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys, the league announced on Monday.

In the 4th quarter of Sunday's game against the Packers, Suh appeared to step on quarterback Aaron Rodgers's leg after he was knocked to the ground. Rodgers had already missed time in the game with a leg injury.

The league called the infraction a "violation of safety-related playing rules."

In a letter to Suh, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks noted, "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. This illegal contact, specifically the second step and push off with your left foot, clearly could have been avoided."

"...you unnecessarily stepped on your opponent's unprotected leg as he lay on the ground unable to protect himself."

Read The Full League Release Here

Suh is expected to appeal the suspension, which must be done within three business days.

In the meantime, Suh is not allowed to attend team meetings or functions, watch or attend practices, or appear at the club's facilities.

Suh is a big part of the Lions' top-ranked run defense, which has limited opponents to just 69.3 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry this season. The suspension could be critical, as Dallas has the league's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray and averages 147.1 yards per game on the ground.

Suh is a four-time Pro Bowler (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) and three-time First Team All-Pro selection. He's recorded 8.5 sacks and 53 tackles this season.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell expects the team to be without defensive tackle Nick Fairley as well, saying "it'd be a miracle" if he plays against Dallas.

The 2011 first-round pick has missed the last eight games with a knee injury.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Latest News:

Top Trending: