Suspension for Bengals LB Burfict reduced to three games

CINCINNATI — Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict had his NFL suspension reduced from five to three games Wednesday for his egregious hit on a Chiefs running back during a preseason game.

During the second preseason game, Burfict leveled running back Anthony Sherman on a pass play when he wasn’t the intended target. The play wasn’t penalized, but the league can impose fines or suspensions after reviewing plays.

Burfict originally got a fivegame suspension but challenged it. Appeals officer James Thrash reduced it to three games. Burfict will miss home games against the Ravens and Texans and a road game with the Packers. He’ll be eligible to return for a game in Cleveland on Oct. 1.

It’s the second straight season he’s suspended for the first three games. He was punished last season for his hit to Antonio Brown’s head during a 2015 playoff loss to the Steelers.

Steelers sign Haden to 3-year contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers have bolstered their cornerback position in a big way by coming to terms with Joe Haden on a three-year, $27 million contract, according to ESPN.

Cleveland released Haden, 28, on Tuesday, mainly because they would have had to pay him $11 million this season. Of that, $4 million was guaranteed, and the Browns could be on the hook for some or even most of that depending on how the contract was structured with the Steelers.

The Browns’ first-round draft pick and seventh overall in 2010 from Florida, Haden made the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014.

Odds and ends

The Browns traded offensive lineman Cam Erving, a former first-round pick, to the Chiefs. Cleveland is getting a fifthround pick for Erving. … The Raiders signed wide receiver Seth Roberts to a two-year contract extension through 2019.