NASHVILLE -- Titans safety Michael Griffin is appealing his one-game suspension without pay after being labeled by the NFL as a repeat offender of the leagues rules prohibiting hits to the head and neck area of defenceless players. The league announced the penalty Monday for Griffins hit on Oakland tight end Mychal Rivera. The punishment came from Merton Hanks, the NFLs vice-president of football operations. Griffin wrote in a text to The Associated Press that he was just trying to do his job but hurt his team. The suspension would cost Griffin $205,882.35 out of his $3.5 million base pay this season and keep him out of Sundays game at Indianapolis. Griffin cannot take part in any football activities until Dec. 2, and the Titans hold the AFCs sixth and final playoff berth at this point. "All I can say is I apologize to the Titans fans, my teammates, and the organization," Griffin wrote. "I also hope Rivera is doing well and I apologize to him and his family." The safety was flagged for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter of Sundays 23-19 win over Oakland for a hit on Rivera. It was Griffins second violation this season and fourth since 2011. Griffin went in low but hit Rivera as the tight end went to the ground after attempting a catch. Griffin said after the game that he apologized and even asked an official what more he could do on the play only to be told to aim low. "Im asking where do you aim low when somebodys going over the middle and hes catching the ball and hes falling at the same time? What do you do? My position and my job as a defensive player is to keep him from catching the ball and I dont know what youre supposed to do," Griffin said after the game. Rivera, a rookie out of the University of Tennessee, had his helmet knocked off in the collision and did not return to the game. "It was pretty brutal," Rivera said. "The really brutal thing about it was my helmet falling off and my head hitting the ground. It wasnt really the hit. The hit was pretty hard to my head, but it was more my helmet falling off and hitting the ground." Rivera said he had no symptoms when he woke up Monday and has been cleared by doctors to play this week. He also said Griffin texted an apology after the game and said the hit was not malicious. "I really respected that from him," Rivera said. "I hit him back and told him I respected he was just doing his job and I said wed see each other again in the future." Oakland coach Dennis Allen said the suspension was the leagues decision. "Thats not for me to say whether its just or not just," Allen said. "Its unfortunate that our guy got hit and was knocked out of the game. Ill say that." Titans coach Mike Munchak said the hit looked a lot worse because Rivera was going low and his helmet came off. Munchak said the intent to harm wasnt there because Griffin went in with his shoulder. "I think the helmet came off from him actually hitting the ground of his own doing," Munchak said. "I think (Griffin) hit him with his shoulder, for sure." Griffin was fined $21,000 for hitting Jets receiver Stephen Hill high while blocking after an interception Sept. 29. The NFL also fined Griffin $21,000 last season for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Minnesota receiver Michael Jenkins last season, and the safety was fined $7,500 for a late hit in the head area with his helmet in a game at Carolina in November 2011. Teemu Selanne Jersey .Gasol had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bulls beat the winless Orlando Magic 98-90 on Tuesday night.Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 21 points and Taj Gibson added 16 for Chicago, which finally pulled away in the final minutes of a game that was tied after three quarters. Ryan Getzlaf Jersey . Green-Ellis was Cincinnatis leading rusher each of the last two seasons. His role was reduced last year when Giovani Bernard was added to the backfield. 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"This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Broncos top tackler Brandon Marshall says he expects to play Sunday night at Kansas City after clearing concussion protocol and practicing in full Friday.It should be normal, said Marshall, Denvers versatile linebacker who leads the team with 92 tackles.Marshall was knocked out of last weeks win over the Dolphins when he ran into 6-foot-4, 265-pound tight end Dion Simms on T.J. Wards interception return in the fourth quarter.I hit him with the side of my helmet and then thats all she wrote, Marshall said. I remember everything. I was just dizzy. I couldnt stand up. I tried to run and I fell twice.Simms was unfazed while Marshall was wobbly.Hes like 270, Marshall marveled. I didnt think he was that big. I hit him and just like shrugged it off. Im like, Damn. I knew he was big but I didnt know he was that solid like that. It didnt faze him, which was disappointing to me.Nonetheless, Marshall said as far as concussions go, this one wasnt severe. He said he was confident hed be cleared to play this week because honestly, it wasnt that bad. Right after the game I could drive. So, I was good to go.Marshall said he was dizzy for a couple of minutes but didnt have any memory loss or headaches and had no problems during the week.Marshalls quick return to action is a stroke of luck for the Broncos, who have two linebackers on IR in Danny Trevathan (who returns next month) and Nate Irving.Also, the Chiefs strength is up the middle with running back Jamaal Charles, who is averaging better than 5 yards a carry and is third on the team in receptions with 26. He has eight rushing touchdowns and three TD catches.Well take every healthy guy we can, Broncos defensive co-ordinator Jack Del Rio said.Del Rio was preparing a bevy of backups, including rookies Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson, and newcomer Todd Davis for action this weekend.Braandon has stepped in for Danny (Trevathan) and done a nice job for us, Del Rio said.dddddddddddd Were preparing the other guys in case we have another pop up right in the middle of the game. So, you continue to work your backup guys. But him getting cleared is a good sign for us.Marshall said hes relieved he wont have to miss the AFC West showdown with the Chiefs (7-4), who trail the Broncos by a game in the division race.Its a big game. Everyone wants to play in this game. This is the biggest game of our season so far. And Im just glad the concussion wasnt too bad, Marshall said. I came back, Ive been studying all week .Even though I havent been practicing, Ive been paying attention. So, Im just glad to be back out there.Charles was knocked from Kansas Citys game at Denver in Week 2 with an ankle injury. In Denvers 24-17 win over Kansas City in September, Charles had just two carries for 4 yards and one catch for 8 before getting hurt. Backup Knile Davis ran 22 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns, but the Chiefs sorely missed Charles on their two drives that stalled after getting inside Denvers 5-yard line.He presents a tremendous challenge. Hes one of the best backs in the league. Hes a very versatile back, Marshall said. He can catch, he can run, he can make you miss. He can run inside the tackles, he can run outside the tackles. The guy is an incredible talent, were going to have our hands full this week. But weve got a good plan. Weve got a good, tight plan and well get things done.Marshall is officially listed as probable. Aqib Talib (hamstring) is 50-50. Three players are out: Kayvon Webster (shoulder), Ronnie Hillman (foot) and Montee Ball (groin).___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '