ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The head of the NFL players' union says Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather is sorry for making comments about going after players' knees.

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith released a statement Thursday saying that Meriweather "is passionate about the game, and I know he is sorry for what he said. ... Brandon knows that all players have a responsibility to each other and to play within the rules of the game."

Meriweather returned Monday from a one-game suspension for illegal hits targeting the head and said from now on he'll have "to take people's knees out" and cause career-ending injuries because he can no longer hit receivers high.

Meriweather declined comment Thursday.

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