Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has taken the first step toward what he hopes

will lessen the number of games he misses this season.

Lynch has filed an appeal with the NFL in an attempt to overturn or shorten his three-game

suspension, a league spokesman confirmed Thursday.

The move was expected since NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Lynch without pay for

the first three regular season games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The

penalty was the result of Lynch having two brushes with the law in a nine-month period.

He was involved in a hit-and-run incident on Chippewa Street in Buffalo late last May. He

also was arrested last February for possession of an unregistered firearm in Culver City,

Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. He pleaded guilty to lesser offenses in each case and

received probation, fines and community service.

Lynch, who made a public apology after both incidents, anticipated he would be suspended

after meeting with Goodell at NFL headquarters in New York City following the gun charge.

Goodell has stated on numerous occasions that he will not tolerate any player being

involved in activity that brings embarrassment to or sheds a negative light on the league. He

was particularly adamant about repeat offenders getting harsher punishments.

Goodell hears all appeals and has final say on whether to overturn or uphold his prior

ruling. There is no timetable for when Lynch's hearing will be held or when Goodell will rule

on it, the league spokesman said.

Lynch has a glimmer of hope that his suspension will get reduced. Last year, Denver Broncos

wide receiver Brandon Marshall appealed a three-game suspension without pay and got it lowered

to one game. Marshall was arrested for a fourth time in February on a disorderly conduct

charge.

If Lynch's suspension is upheld, he will lose about $112,000 of his $630,000 base salary.

The Bills did not release a statement on the appeal. Lynch's agent, Doug Hendrickson, was

unavailable for comment.

The Bills prepared themselves for Lynch's suspension by signing free agent Dominic Rhodes.

He will back up Fred Jackson, who received a four-year contract extension Wednesday.