Yahoo’s Rand Getlin reports that the NFL will only enforce a two-game suspension for Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, after he reportedly struck his then-fiancee Janay Palmer with an uppercut and then dragged her out of the casino elevator.
Hearing, though I haven’t been able to confirm, that Ray Rice will receive a two-game suspension. Will update asap.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 24, 2014
ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter has said definitively that Rice would miss the two opening games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Ray Rice’s suspension begins Aug. 30, eligible for reinstatement Sept. 12. Also will be fined additional $58,000 on top of 2-game suspension
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2014
Rice, who married Palmer after the incident, apologized at a press conference in May.
As a reminder, other NFL players have faced harsher penalties for lesser offenses.
Terrelle Pryor got slapped with a five-game suspension in 2011 because he got free tattoos in college.
Josh Gordon got a 16-game suspension for smoking weed.