The NFL has reduced Vontaze Burfict's suspension from five to three games.

Burfict's suspension was for an illegal hit against Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman during a preseason game.

According to the league, Burfict hit the player while in a defenseless posture. It is a new rule the NFL is implementing this season to protect the player who can't protect himself.

Marvin Lewis is comfortable entering the final season of his contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis is about to embark on his 15th season as head coach of the Bengals.

"That doesn't affect anything," Lewis told ESPN. "I've coached here for 15 seasons. ... The relationship you have with the team and the organization is a two-way street. That's been the thing, I've been the one to not want to move a lot. That's not been a big deal to me. Because we've been able to build something.

"... [Owner Mike Brown] and I have a great working relationship. Sometimes you don't want to start that over again, but sometimes you need to. And I'm prepared to do that. It doesn't affect me one way or another."

The Bengals have not won a playoff game during Lewis' tenure.

"It's part of what this business is," Lewis said. "Everybody wants to coach on a one-year contract. It's a two-way street.

"Last time, we didn't come to an agreement. And we didn't really come to an agreement this time. And that's fine. It doesn't bother me one way or another. They've got to do what they feel is best for their team and the organization, and my job right now is to coach the football team and we'll go from there."

Vontaze Burfict is facing a five-game suspension for an illegal hit on Anthony Sherman of the Kansas City Chiefs, according to league sources.

Burfict, a repeat offender, hit the running back in a defenseless posture, the league believes.

The Cincinnati Bengals, in a statement, said it is "aware of the NFL's letter to Vontaze regarding a play in last weekend's game. The film shows that the hit was legal, that Vontaze engaged his opponent from the front, and that contact was shoulder-to-chest. The Club will support Vontaze in the appeal process."

It is a new rule the NFL is implementing this season to protect the player who can't protect himself.

The Cincinnati Bengals could have traded AJ McCarron in the offseason for a second round pick but elected to keep him as Andy Dalton's backup at quarterback.

The Bengals figured they would need to use a draft pick in order to replace McCarron, making the deal value neutral.

If the Bengals let McCarron leave in free agency in 2018, they will get a compensation pick back for him.

McCarron had a 97.1 passer rating in seven games during the 2015 season.

Marwin Lewis was absent from Tuesday's practice due to a "minor health issue."

The Cincinnati Bengals said Lewis is dealing with a leg issue that caused him to ride a cart to and from practice on Monday. He briefly attended on Tuesday before departing early.

"He will be back as soon as possible, which could be today or later this week. Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons will lead the team during Coach Lewis' absence," the team said in a statement.

The Bengals have Thursday off and will play their first preseason game at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday.

Vontaze Burfict hit Giovani Bernard low during Tuesday's practice, which triggered a scuffle amongst the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bernard tore his ACL in November but was unhurt on the play.

After practice, Burfict and Bernard shared a laugh and Bernard downplayed what happened. "He slipped," Bernard told reporters, via The Cincinnati Enquirer.