In the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Vikings-Bears game in Chicago, a wicked hit sent Minnesota running back Aaron Jones‘s helmet flying. Jones remained in the game.
The player who delivered the hit has been fined.
Advertisement
The NFL imposed a $22,342 sanction on Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson for impermissible use of the helmet. The rulebook prohibits a player from lowering his head and making forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.
The infraction was not flagged; it rarely is. Typically, the situation is addressed with the imposition of a fine.
Impermissible use of the helmet is not one of the five violations that will result in an automatic suspension if there are three violations.