Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is staring down a massive $29,852 in fines after the NFL confirmed penalties for player safety fouls committed in Week 5 against the Browns, putting him directly on the radar for a potential suspension. The league didn’t pull any punches, handing out multiple fines to six different players for infractions in Week 6, but Fitzpatrick’s double hit on one player stands out.
Fitzpatrick’s Pricey Week 5 Against the Browns
The biggest chunk of Fitzpatrick’s penalty, $17,911, came from a hit on a defenseless Kansas City Concepcion during the Jets’ Week 5 win. That shot knocked Concepcion out of the game with a concussion, though good news for Concepcion fans, he’s cleared protocol and is set to play against the Ravens in Week 6. But Fitzpatrick wasn’t done there! He also got dinged for another $11,941 for tackling Concepcion by the facemask earlier in that same game. It’s a rough total to swallow, and Fitzpatrick’s already said he plans to appeal that $17,911 fine. Can you blame him? That’s a serious chunk of change.
Player Safety Rules Hitting Hard Across the League
Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only one feeling the sting of the NFL’s player safety crackdown. Colts linebacker Austin Ajiake got a $5,583 fine, and 49ers safety Malik Mustapha was hit with a $6,998 penalty, both for hits on defenseless players. Then there’s the hip-drop tackle, a move the league is clearly targeting. Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike coughed up $17,911, Lions defensive end D.J. Wonnum was fined $12,611, and Titans cornerback Micah Robinson paid $5,583, all for that specific tackle. For every single one of these guys, this is their first time getting fined for these rules, which means the league is absolutely watching.
Three Strikes and You’re Out: Suspension Looms
These fines aren’t just about the money, they’re a massive warning shot. The NFL has a strict rule: any player who racks up three fines for one of five specific player safety violations is automatically looking at a one-game suspension. Those five rules include horse-collar tackles, launching, blindside blocks, and now, the hits on defenseless players and hip-drop tackles we saw get fined this week. So for Fitzpatrick, with two fines already under his belt in one week, he’s effectively on notice. He’s got to be incredibly careful moving forward. Everyone fined this week better be. One more wrong move, and they’ll be sitting out a game, and nobody wants that.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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