Colts LB Walden, Bucs S Goldson suspended one game
The NFL suspended Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Erik Walden for one game apiece for violating the league's safety rules, the league announced Monday.
Goldson was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons after making direct, helmet-to-helmet contact with a defenseless receiver, Atlanta's Roddy White.
It's Goldson's third violation of the rule this season. Goldson was fined $30,000 for striking a defenseless player in the head and neck area in a Week 1 game against the New York Jets. Later, he was initially suspended for making direct, helmet-to-helmet contact with a defenseless receiver in a Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints. The discipline for the Week 2 violation was subsequently reduced on appeal to a $100,000 fine.
Goldson started eight games this season and has one interception, 38 tackles and 11 assists.
Walden was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter of last Thursday night's game against the Tennessee Titans. After ripping the helmet off the head of Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker, Walden delivered a head butt with his helmet to Walker's uncovered head.
Walden was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play, but he was not ejected.
"It was a selfish act," Walden said after the game, according to ESPN.com. "It could have cost my team bigger than it did. I lost my composure. It's something that can't happen. It wasn't really something he did, it was ticky-tack. I can't allow myself to take it that far."
Walden started all 10 games this season and has 18 tackles, 10 assists and two sacks.
Suspensions may be appealed within three business days.
