Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is expected to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the next week regarding Burfict's questionable hits and upcoming suspension, a source tells ESPN.com.

The league is concerned about Burfict's behavior, which most recently included a hit to the head of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown last month in the wild-card round that resulted in a concussion for Brown and an unnecessary roughness penalty for Burfict. Brown missed the Steelers' following playoff game against the Denver Broncos, and Burfict was suspended three games to start the 2016 season.

The Goodell meeting is not the appeal of Burfict's suspension. That hearing is handled separately with an NFL appeals officer.

Burfict was fined $50,000 for a hit on Baltimore Ravens tight end Maxx Williams in Week 17. In Week 8, Burfict drew ire after celebrating what turned out to be a season-ending hit on Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. That tackle precipitated generally chippy play in the two other meetings between the Bengals and Steelers last season. It was after the Week 14 meeting in Cincinnati that Burfict was fined for three incidents for a total amount that was just shy of $70,000.

In January, a source told ESPN that Burfict had been looking to meet with the commissioner in hopes of having his suspension reduced.

If the three-game ban is upheld, it will cost Burfict $502,941 of his 2016 base salary, and he will have forfeited $647,395 since just before the 2014 season, when he signed a four-year, $20 million contract extension. Burfict has been flagged 16 times for personal foul penalties in the regular season and postseason since entering the league in 2012.

Despite his streak of penalties, Burfict remains one of Cincinnati's top defensive players. He recorded 74 tackles, one sack and two interceptions in 10 games last season.