The NFL issued fines for multiple players following last week’s physical showdown between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, with both sides accumulating $66,677 in fines after actions that drew penalties and caused some players to exit the game.
49ers cornerback Akhello Withershpoon was hit with a $28,075 fine after he concussed Saints tight end Jared Cook on a helmet-to-helmet collision late in the first quarter, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. That amount is the minimum players can be penalized for as a first offense when committing impermissible use of the helmet; a second offense would cost him $56,156. Cook entered the NFL concussion protocol after that play, and did not return to the game, though the Saints expect him to suit up for Monday night’s game with the Indianapolis Colts.
On the Saints’ side, rookie defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was also fined $28,075 after a helmet-to-helmet hit on 49ers fullback Kyle Jusczyk, per a report from Amie Just of Nola.com. Gardner-Johnson was midway through the act of tackling Jusczyk around his waist when the fullback slid to the ground, clashing helmets with the defender. The rookie had previously been fined $21,000 for an illegal hit against Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, which he contested.
Additionally, Just reported that third-year safety Marcus Williams drew a $10,527 fine following a face mask penalty during his end-of-game tackle of 49ers tight end George Kittle. Kittle’s long catch-and-run reception would have scored a touchdown if Williams had not stopped him — even doing so illegally — so this is one foul he’ll have to grudgingly accept.
All-star wide receiver Michael Thomas was struck with his own $10,527 fine for a face mask penalty against the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year, so they’re in this boat together. A second offense of this nature would climb to a $21,056, so it’s obviously not an experience either of them is eager to repeat.
The only silver lining here is what the NFL and NFL Players Association agree to do with the money collected by fining players: it is used to benefit the medical costs and post-football careers of retired players through the Gene Upshaw Players Association’s Players Assistance Trust and NFL Player Care Foundation.
[vertical-gallery id=24372]