Jets running back John Griffin’s hope of making the roster came to a swift end when he was dragged down on an illegal horse-collar tackle by Lions linebacker Travis Lewis in the preseason opener. The tackle broke Griffin’s leg and ended his season, and he’ll just have to hope he can fight for a roster spot somewhere next year.
It probably won’t come as much consolation to Griffin, but the NFL has fined Lewis $15,750.
The $15,750 fine is the standard for a horse-collar tackle, and the fact that Griffin’s leg was broken on the play isn’t considered by the NFL in handing out discipline. It has been suggested at times that players who injure opponents with illegal hits should have to sit out just as long as the player they injured, but those suggestions have never gone anywhere.
So Lewis will pay his fine and move on, while Griffin will watch the 2013 NFL season from his couch, presumably with his leg propped up on a pillow.
