Brandon Meriweather banned for two matches

Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather has been suspended for the first two games of the 2014 season by the NFL.

The ban is a result of the 30-year-old's illegal hit to the head of Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith in his side's pre-season clash at M&T Bank Stadium.

Meriweather will now miss the Redskins' matches against the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars as a result of his sixth violation of player safety rules.

The defensive back was suspended for one match in the 2013 season.