NEW YORK, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The NFL has reduced a two-game suspension handed out to Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather to just one game after a Wednesday hearing.
Meriweather originally drew a two-game sanction after he was penalized for a pair of illegal hits on Chicago's Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall in the Redskins' 45-41 home win over the Bears Sunday.
He was also fined for earlier this season, drawing a $42,000 penalty after using his helmet to bring down an opponent in a game against Green Bay.
The league said Meriweather was cited for "repeat violations this season of NFL safety rules prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players, including two in Sunday's Washington-Chicago Bears game."
If the suspension had been upheld, he would have missed upcoming games at Denver and at home game against San Diego.
But Meriweather appealed, and the NFL said after an expedited hearing he could rejoin the team Monday in preparation for the Week 9 contest against San Diego.
