Carolina Panthers safety Colin Jones was fined $21,000 for a hit on Chicago Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Panthers Colin Jones fined $21,000 by NFL for hit
The NFL fined Panthers safety Colin Jones $21,000 for a hit on Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly.
Chris Graythen
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The hit occurred during a preseason game on Aug. 9. Jones delivered the blow to Mannelly while blocking on a punt return. Mannelly suffered a fractured rib on the play and hasn’t practiced since. The referees deemed it a legal hit and Jones was not penalized. Mannelly said he doesn’t think it was an illegal hit and blames his lack of awareness for the play.
“It was poor field awareness on my part and got it,” Mannelly said.
The NFL decided Jones violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 7(a)(8), which prohibits “blindside” blocks from behind or the side on defenseless players. Jones is appealing the fine.
This isn't the first time the league punished players for big hits in the preseason. Bears linebacker Jon Bostic was fined $21,000 for lowering his helmet on Chargers wide receiveer Mike Willie. Willie was also ruled a defenseless player.
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