Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons will be a little lighter in the wallet this week after the league fined him for a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Week 15.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Simmons has been fined $15,450 after he had a low hit on Roethlisberger, leading to a roughing the passer flag.
The penalty happened in the fourth quarter of the Titans’ 19-13 loss to the Steelers and negated a fumble by wide receiver James Washington that was recovered by linebacker Zach Cunningham.
It’s important to note that it looked like Simmons was pushed into Roethlisberger.
Regardless, head coach Mike Vrabel noted after the game that it is the player’s responsibility to avoid low hits like that.
“It is the defender’s responsibility to avoid contact below the knees and above the shoulders when the quarterback is in the pocket,” Vrabel said, per 104-5 The Zone.
Simmons and the Titans will return to the field in Week 17 to take on the Miami Dolphins at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
