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 Monday by the league's 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 victory in Pittsburgh: Reed's hit to the head of receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Reed, 34, appealed the ruling in a phone session Tuesday with hearing officer Ted Cottrell. Hours later, Cottrell reduced the penalty. A one-game ban would have cost Reed about $450,000 in salary.

Reed is expected to be in uniform for Sunday's game in San Diego.

Harbaugh

has follow-up

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh had an appointment Tuesday for a follow-up evaluation with doctors after undergoing a minor procedure Thursday for an irregular heartbeat.

The 49ers (7-2-1) canceled Harbaugh's media conference call minutes before it was to begin Tuesday, a day after San Francisco's 32-7 victory over Chicago.

Harbaugh, 48, the reigning league coach of the year, was candid about the "cardiovert" — or an electrical shocking of the heart to treat an irregular heartbeat and restore its rhythm to a normal pattern — he had done last week.

Backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick made his first start because starter Alex Smith is recovering from a concussion. Kaepernick was 16 of 23 for 243 yards and a 133.1 passer rating and was praised by Harbaugh.

Harbaugh said he will go with the quarterback who has the hot hand.

Notes

• The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) brought back veteran receiver Plaxico Burress to provide depth at a position weakened by injuries while hoping there is enough gas left in the 35-year-old's tank to give the offense an added dimension near the goal line.

Burress hasn't played since the end of the 2011 season, when he was with the New York Jets.

Meanwhile, Charlie Batch is expected to play quarterback for the Steelers on Sunday in Cleveland because starter Ben Roethlisberger (sprained right shoulder, dislocated first rib) and backup Byron Leftwich (fractured ribs) are injured.

• Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler isn't certain about his status for Sunday's game against Minnesota, but in a radio interview he vowed to return from a concussion this season, the Chicago Tribune reported.

• The New York Jets waived wide receiver Jason Hill, a former Washington State player, and linebacker Marcus Dowtin.