Panthers DB Wesley is not allowed to play Sunday against Bills

A one-game suspension will keep the Carolina Panthers special team player Dante Wesley from playing against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. He was suspended for launching himself into defenseless returner Clifton Smith in Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey.


The incident happened late in the second quarter on Sunday’s game. Wesley left his feet and hit Smith in the neck and head with his forearm and shoulder as Smith waited to field a punt without signaling for a fair catch. As Smith was confirmed to have sustained a concussion and both benches emptied onto the field, Wesley was immediately ejected from the game and the Panthers were penalized 15 yards

Wesley said he mistimed hitting Smith and was not intentional to hurt opponent player, but NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson called the act a flagrant violation of player safety rules. The suspension will cause Wesley to lose more than $36,000 in salary.