Report: Burfict facing 5-game suspension for illegal hit, will appeal

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is facing a five-game suspension for an illegal hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Burfict will have a hearing with the NFL to appeal next week.

The veteran linebacker's latest offense came when he hit a defenseless Sherman on a pass play in the Bengals' second preseason game on Aug. 19.

This is the play Burfict is being suspended 5 games for. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/sAp7aG8V5W

- ChiefsJayhawksRoyals (@CJR16255) August 28, 2017

The Bengals released a statement Sunday night claiming they believe the hit was legal.

The Bengals are aware of the NFL's letter to Vontaze regarding a play in last weekend's game. The film shows that the hit was legal, that Vontaze engaged his opponent from the front, and that contact was shoulder-to-chest. The Club will support Vontaze in the appeal process.

Burfict is a repeat offender, being suspended for three games at the beginning of the 2016 season for a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. He has tallied 16 penalties for unnecessary roughness, personal fouls or roughing the passer in his career. Burfict also picked up fines for hitting defenseless receivers in 2013 and 2014.

If the suspension holds up, Burfict will miss games against the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills.

Copyright (C) 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.