Report: Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict fined, not suspended for hit vs. Patriots
The NFL has fined Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict $75,000 for one of two controversial hits on Patriots players during last Sunday's game, reports Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk.
Burfict plans to appeal, Jackson reports.
Burfict was fined for appearing to stomp on LeGarrette Blount's leg after the running back scored a touchdown. In response, Blount shoved Burfict to the ground and earned an unnecessary roughness penalty.
ESPN's Ed Werder reported on Tuesday that the Bengals had decided through video review that Burfict did not step on Blount's leg, and head coach Marvin Lewis said the same day he had "no concern" Burfict would be suspended or fined.
Burfict also dove at the knees of Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett during the fourth quarter of the Patriots 35–17 win, sweeping Bennett's feet out from under him as Tom Brady threw a pass past him to receiver Danny Amendola. He was not disciplined for this hit.
Burfict was suspended for the first three games of the season for an illegal hit on Steelers receiver Antonio Brown during last year's playoffs. He has made 15 tackles with one sack in the three games since his return.
He is in the third year of the four-year, $19 million contract he signed with the Bengals before the 2014 season, and his base salary this year is $2.3 million.
The Bengals (2–4) next play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
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