By The Associated Press

Published: Monday, November 19, 2012, 9:18 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, January 31, 2013

BALTIMORE — Ed Reed's tackling has been scrutinized all season and now the NFL has weighed in.

The Ravens' veteran free safety was suspended one game by the league Monday for repeated violations of the rule prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players. Reed has told the Ravens that he will appeal the suspension which would keep him out of Sunday's contest against the San Diego Chargers.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks imposed the one-game ban which came a day after Reed was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty for his hit on wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in the third quarter of the Ravens' 13-10 victory over the Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday night.

It was Reed's third violation in the past three seasons and his second this year.

“We cannot tolerate repeated violations of rules, especially rules related to player safety,” NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson said. “We will continue to take the strongest possible action to deter these types of violations and protect our players.”

If his appeal is denied, Reed, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, would be barred from the Ravens' practice facility until Nov. 26 and become the second player suspended this season for rules designed to protect the safety of players. Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays got a one-game ban for an illegal hit on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub on Sept. 23.

Gronkowski has forearm surgery

No more end-zone spikes for a while from Rob Gronkowski.

A person familiar with the process said Monday the New England Patriots tight end expects to be sidelined for four to six weeks after having surgery for a broken left forearm. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement.

Harvin misses practice

Minnesota receiver Percy Harvin did not practice on Monday when the team returned to work after its bye week.

Harvin is still working through a badly sprained left ankle that caused him to miss the game against Detroit before the bye. Coach Leslie Frazier says his leading receiver hasn't suffered any setbacks. But Frazier did say it was still too sore for Harvin to go Monday.

Receiver Michael Jenkins also missed practice with a sore foot. An MRI revealed no structural damage.

McGahee suffers torn knee ligament

The lockers of the running backs who might take Willis McGahee's spot in the Broncos lineup are conveniently lined up, four in a row.

Lance Ball. Knowshon Moreno. Jeremiah Johnson. Ronnie Hillman.

Barring an unlikely free agent signing, some combination of those four will be asked to fill in for the foreseeable future for Denver's leading rusher, McGahee, who tore a ligament in his right knee and will be out for what's expected to be a six-to-eight week stint.

Jags' Henne will start against Titans

Chad Henne is getting another shot at starting in the NFL.

How well he performs could determine whether Blaine Gabbert gets one, too.

The Jacksonville Jaguars named Henne their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Tennessee, the latest change for a team desperate to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Redskins' Meriweather out for season

Brandon Meriweather's season is done after one game with a torn ACL in his right knee — and right after his left knee had finally healed.

An MRI on Monday revealed the season-ending injury for the snake-bit Redskins safety who played just long enough to give a tantalizing taste of what he could do to help one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.

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