A day after saying it would consider suspending players for helmet-to-helmet hits, the N.F.L. decided Tuesday to fine three players involved in a string of injurious collisions last Sunday.
James Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who knocked two Cleveland Browns out of their game with helmet-to-helmet hits — one was within the rules; the other was a penalty the officials missed, the league said — was fined the most, $75,000, because of previous trouble. Earlier this season, he was fined $5,000 for slamming Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young to the ground while sacking him.
New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather, who committed the most egregious foul when he launched himself into Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap as Heap tried to make a catch, was fined $50,000. And Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson, who hit Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson so violently that both were concussed, was fined $50,000.
In a letter to each of the players, Ray Anderson, the N.F.L.’s executive vice president for football operations, warned that “future offenses will result in an escalation of fines up to and including suspension.”
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