Cornerback Aqib Talib and wide receiver Michael Crabtree have been suspended for two games each for unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness in yesterday’s matchup between the Broncos and Raiders.
Both Talib and Crabtree were ejected in the first quarter of yesterday’s game after Talib snatched Crabtree’s chain from his neck, despite Crabtree’s reported attempts to tape the chain to his chest following his loss of chain earlier this year. Talib’s chain-snatching broke out into a brawl between the teams and the two players throwing punches.
According to NFL.com, Aqib Talib clarified that he was not defending his teammate Chris Harris, who Crabtree punched in a previous play, but was instead retaliating for Crabtree punching him, as well.
Both players are expected to appeal their suspensions.
Update (November 28, 9:25 p.m. ET): The two-game suspensions have been appealed and reduced to a one-game suspension for both Talib and Crabtree.