PITTSBURGH — Linebacker James Harrison has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, one day after he threatened to retire because of the NFL’s stricter enforcement of dangerous hits.
Harrison, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, was given a cooling-off day Wednesday by coach Mike Tomlin and was told to skip practice. Harrison became upset after the league fined him $75,000 for a helmet hit Sunday on Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. Harrison was not penalized on the play.
Harrison’s teammates didn’t take his threat to retire seriously, saying he enjoys playing too much to quit during the second season of a $51.2 million contract.
On Wednesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said significant penalties will be imposed upon players who strike an opponent in the head or neck in violation of existing rules.