Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

NFL fines Whitney Mercilus $15,000 for hit on Joe Flacco

Christian Ponder, J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

AP

Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus was flagged for roughing the passer for a hit on Joe Flacco during Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, and now Mercilus has been hit in the paycheck.

Mercilus confirmed that the NFL fined him $15,000 for the hit.

I’m going to appeal it just like every other player does in the league and hopefully get the best out of that situation,” Mercilus told Sports Radio 610.

It’s tough to see any reason Mercilus would win that appeal: His helmet struck Flacco’s chin, and both the officials on the field and the league office agreed that it was a penalty.