Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Ray Rice is not appealing suspension

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice did not appeal his two-game suspension from the NFL, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

This move was not a surprise considering Rice received a lighter punishment than expected. Rice, who was suspended Thursday, had three days to appeal the decision.

Rice will miss the season opener against the AFC North defending champion Cincinnati Bengals and a Thursday night game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. He can participate in training camp and all the preseason games. Rice, though, won't be able to practice with the team from Aug. 30 to Sept. 11.

Bernard Pierce, the team's top backup running back, said he is ready to fill in for Rice.

Rice's suspension stems from an altercation with then-fiancée Janay Palmer at an Atlantic City hotel in February. He also was fined an additional regular-season game check.

"It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that's my fault," Rice said in a statement released by the Ravens last week. "As I said earlier, I failed in many ways. But, Janay and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents. I am better because of everything we have experienced since that night. The counseling has helped tremendously.

"My goal is to earn back the trust of the people, especially the children, I let (them) down because of this incident," Rice said. "I am a role model and I take that responsibility seriously. My actions going forward will show that."

Rice is scheduled to address the media on Thursday.

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