After receiving strong support from his Redskins teammates, safety Brandon Meriweather has chosen to appeal his two-game suspension for an illegal hit on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith during the team's third preseason game. Meriweather is no stranger to illegal hits, having been either fined or suspended for such hits 6 times throughout his 8-year career. In fact, Meriweather received a similar two-game suspension for an illegal hit last season. This suspension, however, was reduced to one game after Meriweather appealed the ban.

Many players and fans have come to the defense of Meriweather following the suspension. Teammate and fellow safety Ryan Clark said, "Brandon was trying to do the right thing. He didn't lead with the crown of his head, he didn't spear a guy. To be suspended two games is sad." Another Redskins teammate, OLB Brian Orakpo, tweeted the following, "And then my boy Meriweather gets suspended for playing in these MEANINGLESS preseason games damn shame I'm so pissed right now." Redskins coach Jay Gruden chimed in saying, "It was an unfortunate incident. He tried to lower his target. It was a legitimate football play, unfortunately the NFL didn't see it that way." Even Torrey Smith, the victim of the hit, answered a question on Twitter where he said that he did not believe that Meriweather should have been suspended. 

The defensive backfield is certainly one of the major weak points of the Redskins roster. Without Brandon Meriweather, it becomes even weaker. While he is often fined for illegal hits, Meriweather brings a presence to the secondary that makes receivers think twice before going over the middle. DeAngelo Hall doesn't want the fines to change Meriweather's aggressive style of player. Hall told reporters that he spoke with Meriweather and told him, "Keep hitting, I'll pay the fines." Redskins fans are certainly hopeful that the appeal process works in Meriweather's favor. If it does not, it is likely that second-year safety Bacarri Rambo will start in his place alongside Ryan Clark in the team's preseason opener against the Houston Texans.