The NFL is hopeful and optimistic Myles Garrett will be reinstated and won't miss any games in 2020.

Garrett lost his appeal to have his indefinite suspension reduced.

The NFL has mandated that Garrett must meet with the commissioner's office during the offseason.

Garrett was suspended indefinitely and fined $45,623 for ripping the helmet off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and striking him in the head with it.

The indefinite suspension of Myles Garrett has been upheld in appeal.

Appeals officers Derrick Brooks and James Thrash made the ruling.

Garrett alleged in his hearing that Mason Rudolph used a racial slur against him before the brawl.

Myles Garrett alleges Mason Rudolph directed a racial slur at him just before last week's brawl.

"Mason vehemently denies the report of being accused of using a racial slur during the incident Thursday night in Cleveland," Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a statement. "He will not discuss this accusation any further and his focus remains on preparation for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals."

Rudolph told reporters on Wednesday he didn't say anything to provoke Garrett or escalate the situation.

Garrett made the allegation as part of his initial comments during the appeal hearing in New York.

Garrett was suspended indefinitely for ripping off and swinging Rudolph's helmet and then hitting the quarterback in the head with it.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the NFL looked into the allegation and found no evidence to support those claims.

Mason Rudolph apologized for his actions in last week's brawl with the Cleveland Browns.

Rudolph read a prepared statement.

"I should've done a better job handling that situation," Rudolph said. "I have no ill will towards Myles Garrett. Great respect for his ability as a player. And I know that if Myles could go back, he would handle the situation differently.

"As for my involvement last week, there's no acceptable excuse. The bottom line is I should've done a better job keeping my composure in that situation and [not] fall short of what I believe it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and a member of the NFL."

Rudolph's conciliatory tone Wednesday was a departure from last week's defiant postgame news conference, where he called Garrett's actions "bush league" and "cowardly."

Video from the incident shows Rudolph attempting to dislodge Garrett's helmet.

"Like I said, the way he took me down late, it was basically the last play of the game, I was just trying to get him off from on top of me," he said.

Mike Tomlin opened Tuesday's press conference by accepting responsibility for his team's role in Thursday night's melee with the Cleveland Browns.

"It was ugly," Tomlin said. "It was ugly for the game of football. I think all of us that are involved in the game, particularly at this level, want to safeguard and protect the game, its integrity. And in that instance, it was compromised, obviously, with an unfortunate incident.

"None of us want those incidents to transpire. It did. We were a part of it. We accept responsibility for our actions within it."

Tomlin also rebuffed the idea that the game-ending fight could be used as a teachable moment for his team.

Myles Garrett is appealing his indefinite suspension and the NFL will hear his argument on Wednesday.

Garrett was suspended without pay indefinitely, adding that at a minimum Garrett will miss the regular season and postseason stemming from Thursday's brawl between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Garrett ripped the helmet off Mason Rudolph and later swung it, hitting the quarterback in the head.

Myles Garrett has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL with a minimum of at least the remainder of this regular season and playoffs.

Garrett ripped the helmet off Mason Rudolph and struck him in the head with it. 

The fight began when Rudolph was dragged to the ground by Garrett after throwing a pass. Rudolph appeared to discoed Garrett's helmet while both were on the ground.

"What I did was foolish, and I shouldn't allow myself to slip like that," Garrett said. "That's out of character, but a situation like that where it's an emotional game, and I allowed myself to fall into those emotions with what happened."

Myles Garrett was one of three players ejected following a skirmish in the final seconds of Thursday night's Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns game.

Garrett ripped Mason Rudolph's helmet off and struck him in the head with it.

The fight began when Rudolph dumped a pass to Trey Edmunds and was dragged to the ground by Garrett. Rudolph appeared to try to dislodge Garrett's helmet while they were on the ground. Garrett ripped off Rudolph's helmet once they stood up and took a swing with it, connecting on the top of Rudolph's helmetless head.

Maurkice Pouncey jumped into Garrett and punched and kicked him as Steelers teammate David DeCastro pinned Garrett to the ground.

"I've never seen that in my life," Freddie Kitchens said. "It's not good."

The Cleveland Browns have released Antonio Callaway.

Callaway was late to Sunday's game. Callaway was also suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Callaway dropped to the Browns in the fourth round of the 2018 draft after several off-field incidents that culminated in missing his final season at Florida due to a suspension. Callaway had 51 catches, 675 yards and five touchdowns for the Browns.

Some teams believe Odell Beckham Jr. could return to the trade market if the Cleveland Browns continue their struggles into the start of the 2020 season.

Cleveland acquired Beckham for Jabrill Peppers as well as first and third round picks. 

Two NFC team officials said they don't see Beckham getting traded this offseason, but one of them said, "The vultures will be circling if the Browns keep sucking."

Beckham walked off the field during one play in Week 9 and could be heard saying, according to CBS' Jay Feely: "I can't get the ball to save my life."