The NFL handed out 31 fines in Week 8 — the second-highest weekly total this season — including penalties to Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker, Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn. Each was fined for a hit that ultimately put the opposing player into concussion protocol and led to that player missing Week 9.
Brisker was fined $17,911 for a head/neck contact on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson less than 90 seconds into Pittsburgh’s win; the play drew a roughing-the-passer flag that Brisker publicly criticized, saying he hit with his chest and expected to be penalized. Watson briefly exited the game with Shedeur Sanders taking his place for two snaps before Watson returned to finish the contest. Although Watson practiced during the week and cleared concussion protocol, the Browns announced they will start Sanders in Week 9 against the Saints.
Overshown was assessed $9,528 for using his helmet on a tackle of Cardinals running back Bam Knight, a hit that forced a fumble the Cowboys recovered on the field; the league reviewed the play after the game and issued the fine. Knight did not practice this week and will miss Arizona’s divisional matchup with the Seahawks.
Chinn, who made the interception that sealed Las Vegas’ win, was fined $17,911 for a forcible hit on Jets wideout Garrett Wilson on a sideline catch. The players’ helmets collided; Wilson stayed in for the game’s final snap but later reported concussion symptoms, was placed in protocol midweek and was ruled out for the Jets’ game against the Chiefs.
So far this season 223 plays have led to fines, which represents about 0.0113% of all plays through eight weeks. The 31 Week 8 fines are second only to the 38 fines issued in Week 2.
Fan take: The surge in fines highlights the NFL’s continued emphasis on stricter enforcement of hits that risk head injuries, which can change availability of key players and influence game outcomes. For fans, that means more protection for offensive players but also ongoing debate over consistency and how far rules should go in altering defensive play.
Source: www.cbssports.com
