Ravens safety Earl Thomas Jr. has been fined $21,000 for his hit on Steelers (1-4) quarterback Mason Rudolph in Sunday’s Week 5 meeting, according to ESPN. Thomas plans to appeal the fine.
The hit from Thomas left Rudolph unconscious and concussed after the Baltimore defender’s helmet hit the bottom of the young Pittsburgh quarterback’s chin as he was scrambling and then sandwiched between Thomas and another defender.
The 24-year-old, Rudolph, spent this week in concussion protocol and Friday was ruled out of Sunday’s Week Six game versus the Los Angeles Chargers.
The 10th-year NFL safety told ESPN that he texted and called Rudolph this week, but did not receive a response.
“I wanted to him to know that I didn’t do it on purpose,” Thomas said. “That’s all I wanted him to know.”
Baltimore (3-2) head coach John Harbaugh backed Thomas’ claim that he did not intend to hurt the opponent, saying that he saw his defender pull off the tackle after impact.
