NFL: Leonard Fournette’s one-game suspension is upheld

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette’s appeal of a one-game suspension for fighting has been denied, meaning he will sit out Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.

Fournette was suspended without pay for leaving the sideline, running across the field and punching Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson during a Nov. 25 game. Fournette appealed, but retired NFL receiver James Thrash affirmed the one-game punishment that will cost Fournette close to $100,000.

The NFL and NFL Players Assn. appointed Thrash to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.

The NFL’s vice president of football operations, Jon Runyan, handed down the penalty Monday, saying “sportsmanship is the cornerstone of the game and the league will not tolerate game-related misconduct that conveys a lack of respect for the game itself and those involved in it.”

Fournette and Lawson were ejected in the third quarter of Buffalo’s 24-21 victory and continued jawing at each other as they exited the field and entered the tunnel to the locker rooms.

Fournette will be eligible to return to the team’s active roster Monday.

Gruden: ‘No guarantee’ Foster’s ever plays for Washington

Coach Jay Gruden said the Washington Redskins will continue to investigate Rueben Foster’s legal problems amid the outcry from signing the linebacker following his domestic violence arrest.

Gruden added there is “no guarantee” Foster ever plays for Washington.

“We accept, obviously, the questions, but we want to let the process play out and see what happens and get to the bottom of it,” Gruden said Wednesday. “He’s got a lot of work to do, personally, with the team, with the NFL, with himself, before he even thinks about playing football again.”

Foster, 24, was arrested Saturday night at San Francisco’s team hotel in Tampa and charged with one count of first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence. Washington was the only team to put in a claim for Foster after the San Francisco 49ers released him Monday.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who was Washington’s offensive coordinator from 2010-2013, said he was a bit surprised a team claimed Foster. Gruden said the “team decision” was made to add Foster knowing there would be blowback.