Vontaze Burfict suspended 3 games for hit on Antonio Brown

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season for an illegal hit to the head of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown during Saturday's wild-card game.

The suspension is officially being levied for "repeated violations of safety-related playing rules," with the hit on Brown the most recent violation.

The former Pro Bowler will appeal the suspension, Adam Caplan of ESPN reports.

Burfict was penalized for unnecessary roughness with 22 seconds remaining in the Bengals' wild-card loss to the Steelers after targeting Brown on a helmet-to-helmet hit. The play left Brown concussed and helped set up the Steelers for a game-winning field goal.

As the suspension notes, Burfict is a repeat offender and was most recently fined $50,000 for a hit on Baltimore Ravens tight end Maxx Williams in Week 17.

The league will also look at discipline for Steelers coaches Joey Porter and Mike Munchak, who were both involved in altercations with Bengals players during Saturday's contentious game.