Myles Garrett will have his appellate hearing with the NFL today in New York. The Browns defensive end has formally appealed his indefinite suspension for his personal foul and ejection in Cleveland’s 21-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Garrett is hoping to have an end-game defined for his indefinite suspension, or possibly have it reduced to a fixed game total.

Who is hearing the appeal?

Former NFL wide receiver James Thrash will hear the appeal. Thrash is one of two former players employed by the NFL to hear disciplinary appeals.

Garrett is making his appeal in person at the league offices. That is an unusual step, though most players typically have practice and other logistical obstacles. Because of the nature and length of Garrett’s suspension, he has the time and resources to make his case in person.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is not expected to be in attendance for Garrett’s hearing, per Sirius NFL Radio.

What can happen for Garrett?

There are several possible outcomes from the appeal. The most obvious is, nothing changes. Garrett’s current status of indefinite suspension through at least the end of the 2019 postseason is upheld, and the defensive end will require reinstatement by Goodell at an undetermined date.

The league could place a definite ending date on the suspension. Garrett, not to mention the Browns, would like to know if he can expect to be the lineup at the beginning of the 2020 season.

Thrash could also change the status from “indefinite” to a fixed amount of games. This is a very realistic outcome, as there is some language in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that might prevent a player from being suspended indefinitely for on-field actions.

No matter the success of Garrett’s appeal, don’t expect to see No. 95 back in the lineup in 2019.

Historical precedent

There has not been an incident where a player struck another with a helmet during game action. The closest in modern NFL history came in 2006 when Titans DT Albert Haynesworth deliberately cleated Cowboys OL Andre Gurode in the head after knocking off his helmet.

Haynesworth was ejected and suspended for five games.

Going way back in time, a player striking another in the head with a helmet has indeed happened before:

Update

Garrett had his hearing. It lasted less than two hours. The league hopes to rule soon.