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An NFL appeals panel has upheld the one-game suspension of Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays, according to head coach John Fox.
Not only does this mean that Mays will miss the Broncos Week 4 matchup against their AFC West rival Oakland Raiders, but it means that the fifth-year pro will be banned from the team's training facility until Oct. 1.
The suspension – and a hefty $50,000 fine – were handed out by the league after Mays' vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Houston Texans Matt Schaub in Week 3, that left the quarterback detached from a chunk of his left ear. Mays apologized publicly and directly to Schaub after the incident, but his remorse wasn't enough to reverse the suspension.
It's expected that veteran linebacker Keith Brooking will start at middle linebacker in Mays' place on Sunday against the Raiders. Rookies Danny Trevathan and Steven Johnson could also see time at the position.