Bucs rookie cornerback Elbert Mack has been suspended one game for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan Sunday.

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson issued the suspension Tuesday. Mack was suspended for Sunday's game at Chicago, without pay, for a flagrant violation of player safety rules, his second this season.

Anderson said Mack unecessarily launched himself into Ryan on a pass interception return play and made impermissable helmet-to-helmet contact.

Mack was recently fined $5,000 for an unecessary roughness penalty on Houston Texans quarterback Alex Brink.

In a letter to Mack, Anderson said, "Your actions are of particular concern in light of the emphasis that our office has placed on developing and enforcing rules designed to protect players from injury, including concussions. The safety of our players is paramount to all of us in the NFL.'

The timing of Mack's suspension could hurt the Bucs. An undrafted free agent from Troy, Mack may have seen playing time against the Bears because starting nickel cornerback Aqib Talib has a hamstring strain and may be questionable against the Bears.