NFL teams
Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Ndamukong Suh roughs Chad Henne

NFL, Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Ndamukong Suh was again flagged for a hit against a quarterback. And again, it happened in the preseason.

Suh was nailed with a roughing the passer personal foul call on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne during the second quarter of the Detroit Lions' 13-12 win Friday night.

On video replay, it appeared Suh lowered his helmet into Henne's chest after the quarterback had thrown the ball, potentially leading to the flag and the penalty.

"They called what they called, and it is what it is," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "That's what he called, OK, and that's what the official called and that's what it is. It's a foul, plain and simple."

After the play, Jacksonville center Jacques McClendon, who allowed the sack on Henne, briefly got into Suh's face. He said after the game he was trying to stand up for his quarterback.

"To take an unnecessary hit, which I thought was unnecessary, I don't think as an offensive line you should allow that," McClendon said. "My job is to protect the quarterback. At times we're going to get beat, but when it's unnecessary and late ... My job is to open holes for the running back and protect the quarterback, so if I'm not protecting my quarterback I don't feel like I'm doing my job.

"I just wanted Chad to know I had his back."

Suh has a history of personal fouls against quarterbacks -- and those plays have often led to fines.

In his rookie year, he hit then-Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme and twisted his face mask, resulting in a fine. He has also been fined for hits against quarterbacks Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub, Brandon Weeden and Andy Dalton in his career.

It is unknown if Suh will be fined for his latest roughing the passer call.

Suh was not spotted by ESPN.com in the Lions' locker room after the game for comment. At least one of Suh's teammates, though, felt the hit was legitimate.

"I saw it. I thought it was a clean hit," Lions defensive tackle C.J. Mosley said. "Suh is Suh, he has that quote-unquote reputation. I thought it was a clean hit."

ESPN.com Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.

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