Cards' Johnson fined for block against Vikings

Cards' Johnson fined for block against Vikings

Published Oct. 26, 2012 5:03 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson was fined $21,000 by the NFL on Friday for an illegal blindside block in last Sunday's loss to the Vikings last Sunday.

Vikings tight end John Carlson missed Minnesota's game against Tampa Bay on Thursday night because of concussion-like symptoms that appeared to result from Johnson's block during a punt.

Detroit cornerback Alphonso Smith was fined $15,750 for his horse-collar tackle on Chicago wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the Lions' loss Monday night. Smith was called for a penalty, which helped put the Bears in field-goal range. Marshall and fellow Bears receiver Earl Bennett were also docked $10,500 by the league for wearing orange cleats, a violation of the NFL's uniform policy.

Several other players were fined $7,875 by the league for various penalties, including St. Louis cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who grabbed the facemask of Green Bay's Jordy Nelson on a tackle last weekend that also drew a call for unnecessary roughness.

Baltimore safety Bernard Pollard drew a similar fine for a facemask penalty on Houston tight end Owen Daniels.

Carolina's Charles Godfrey was also docked for his low block on Dallas center Phil Costa, who was carted off the field. Panthers coach Ron Rivera signaled for trainers to tend to the Cowboys player immediately after he went down following Miles Austin's fumble. Godfrey received a personal foul penalty.

Washington offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus was fined for a leg whip on a run play against New York Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

Cleveland linebacker D'Qwell Jackson drew a fine for his late hit on Indianapolis rookie running back Vick Ballard that also drew a personal foul penalty.

San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson was docked $7,875 for taunting -- unsportsmanlike conduct -- after tackling Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch last Thursday night.

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