Nov 20, 2012 2 min read

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed avoided a one-game suspension for late hits after an appeal. He instead will be fined $50,000.

Reed was suspended for one game without pay on Monday by NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks for his third violation in three seasons of the rule prohibiting helmet-to-helmet hits against defenseless players.

The third violation occurred in Sunday night’s game at Pittsburgh: Reed’s hit to the head of receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Reed appealed the ruling in phone session Tuesday morning with NFL hearing officer Ted Cottrell. The NFL Players Association represented Reed, who also participated.

Hours later, Cottrell reduced the penalty.

Harbaugh has more tests: San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is undergoing a follow-up evaluation with doctors after having a minor procedure last Thursday for an irregular heartbeat.

The 49ers canceled the 49-year-old Harbaugh’s scheduled media conference call minutes before it was to begin Tuesday, a day after San Francisco’s 32-7 victory over the Chicago Bears, but gave no indication that there is anything of concern with Harbaugh’s health in addition to what he went through last week.

Fletcher streak in danger: Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher did not practice Tuesday because of a sprained right ankle and has little time to recover before Thursday’s Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Fletcher, 37, has never missed a game in his 15-year NFL career and has appeared in 234 in a row, tying him with Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ronde Barber for the longest active streak.