The Washington Commanders will get back a members of the defensive lineup sooner than expected after a successful appeal.
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Linebacker Frankie Luvu appealed a one-game suspension that would have kept him out of this weekend's matchup with the Detroit Lions. Hearing officer Derrick Brooks, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, decided on Tuesday to reduce Luvu's suspension from one game to only a $100,000 fine.
On Monday, the NFL suspended Luvu for one game "for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players." The league pointed to multiple instances of Luvu using the banned hip-drop tackles, including against the Seattle Seahawks.
The NFL has previously fined Luvu for violations of these playing rules. This includes after hip drop tackles in Week 4 and Week 8. According to the NFL, Luvu would have lost a $508,333 game check if Brooks had upheld the linebacker's suspension.
An eight-year veteran, Luvu has been with the Commanders since the start of the 2024 season. The former Jet and Panther has started all 26 possible regular-season games with the Commanders while posting 149 combined tackles, 10 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Luvu has played 563 snaps this season through nine games.
With the suspension reduced to a fine, Luvu will be on the field as Washington tries to win its second consecutive game against Detroit. These two teams last met in the Divisional Round of last season's playoffs. Washington won the game 45-31 while advancing to the NFC Championship.
The Commanders enter the game with a 28-16 record against the Lions. This includes an 18-game winning streak between 1968 and 1997. The Commanders have gone 19-3 at home against the NFC North team, most recently during the 2019 season.
Now 3-6, the injury-depleted Commanders will try to get back on track with a win against the 5-3 Lions. Having a larger assortment of defenders available will be critical considering the injuries to offensive players such as Austin Ekeler, Jayden Daniels, Luke McCaffrey, Noah Brown, and Terry McLaurin.
