One thing that has been consistent this season is the National Football League has been fining players for using their helmets when hitting on the field.
According to The Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer, Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus $11,167 for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Here is the hit, which looks pretty innocuous.
Safety Josh Metellus was fined $11,167 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness on this hit on Bears quarterback Justin Fields in the first quarter. Fields was slow to get up, but did not come out of the game. Metellus was not flagged. pic.twitter.com/Yh8hEzQXws
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 21, 2023
The hit doesn’t look like much. He hits Fields in the midsection, but how he hits him is the cause of the fine.
Metellus uses his helmet and head as a battering ram, which is something the NFL is blatantly trying to get players to stop doing. Harrison Smith was fined $21,855 for a hit in week three against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The NFL will continue to fine players for using their helmet as a battering ram in terms of player safety. This is the third fine on a Vikings player this season with Justin Jefferson also getting one for a touchdown celebration against the Carolina Panthers.
